PD-L1 antibodies and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are PD-L1 antibodies and methods for using the same for detecting human PD-L1 protein in biological samples. The PD-L1 antibodies and methods may be useful for diagnosing a medical condition associated with elevated PD-L1 levels (e.g., cancer) in subjects in need thereof and in evaluating the efficacy of a particular therapeutic regime in a subject diagnosed as having a PD-L1-related medical condition, among other uses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 14/725,953, filed May 29, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. 62/004,572, filed May 29, 2014, and U.S. 62/069,420, filed Oct. 28, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

This is application contains a sequence listing, created on Dec. 20, 2017 having a file name of 32151US3_ST25, and a size 37,992 bytes, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to novel PD-L1 antibodies and methods for using the same for detecting PD-L1 polypeptides in a biological sample. PD-L1 antibodies also are useful to evaluate the efficacy of a particular therapeutic agent in a subject diagnosed as having a PD-L1-related medical condition.

Description of Related Art

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or references cited is admitted to be prior art.

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) is a member of the CD28 family of receptors, which includes CD28, CTLA-4, ICOS, PD-1, and BTLA. The initial members of the family, CD28 and ICOS, were discovered by functional effect on augmenting T cell proliferation following the addition of monoclonal antibodies (Hutloff et al., Nature 397:263-266 (1999); Hansen et al. Immunogenics 10:247-260 (1980)). Two cell surface glycoprotein ligands for PD-1 have been identified, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and have been shown to downregulate T cell activation and cytokine secretion upon binding to PD-1 (Freeman et al., J Exp Med 192:1027-34 (2000); Latchman et al., Nat Immunol 2:261-8 (2001); Carter et al., Eur J Immunol 32:634-43 (2002); Ohigashi et al., Clin Cancer Res 11:2947-53 (2005)). Both PD-L1 (B7-H1) and PD-L2 (B7-DC) are B7 homologs that bind to PD-1, but do not bind to other CD28 family members.

Human PD-L1 encodes a 290 amino acid (aa) type I membrane precursor protein with a putative 18 aa signal peptide, a 221 aa extracellular domain, a 21 aa transmembrane region, and a 31 aa cytoplasmic domain. Human PD-L1 is constitutively expressed in several organs such as heart, skeletal muscle, placenta and lung, and in lower amounts in thymus, spleen, kidney and liver. PD-L1 expression is upregulated in a small fraction of activated T and B cells and a much larger fraction of activated monocytes. PD-L1 expression is also induced in dendritic cells and keratinocytes after IFN gamma stimulation.

The PD-L1-PD1 pathway is involved in the negative regulation of some immune responses and may play an important role in the regulation of peripheral tolerance. Interaction of PD-L1 with PD1 results in inhibition of TCR-mediated proliferation and cytokine production. PD-L1 has been suggested to play a role in tumor immunity by increasing apoptosis of antigen-specific T-cell clones (Dong et al. Nat Med 8:793-800 (2002)). Indeed, PD-L1 expression has been found in several murine and human cancers, including human lung, ovarian and colon carcinoma and various myelomas (Iwai et al. PNAS 99:12293-7 (2002); Ohigashi et al. Clin Cancer Res 11:2947-53 (2005)). Thus, measuring the amount of PD-L1 protein in biological samples may aid in the early detection of cancer pathologies and may help assess the efficacy and durability of investigational drugs that inhibit the binding of the PD-L1 protein.

However, the use of PD-L1 protein expression as an accurate predictor for cancer and/or the efficacy of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 directed therapies remains challenging. Many commercially available antibodies directed to PD-L1 cross-react with other proteins and/or exhibit non-specific histological staining, thereby making them unreliable diagnostic reagents. See http://www.cellsignal.com/contents/science-cancer-research/pivotal-tumor-immunology-targets-pd-l1/pd-li-signaling. Furthermore, conflicting results have been observed when comparing PD-L1 antibodies targeting the extracellular domain versus the intracellular domain (McLaughlin et al., J. Clin Oncol 32:5 (2014)). Moreover, the evaluation of PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer samples using commercially available antibodies such as E1L3N® (Cell Signaling Technology, MA), 5H1 (Dong et al., Nat Med. 8:793-800 (2002)) and E1J2J, yielded discordant results (McLaughlin et al., J. Clin Oncol 32:5 (2014)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is an isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein the antibody binds to an epitope of human PD-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1) and/or wherein the antibody binding the epitope of human PD-L1 has a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of at least 1.5×10⁻¹¹ M.

In a further aspect, (a) the HC of the isolated antibody comprises a CDR3 consensus sequence RX₁FSSX₂NI (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein X₁ is I or L, and X₂ is S or T; and/or (b) the LC of the isolated antibody comprises a CDR3 consensus sequence X₃GGESSX₄X₅DGIA (SEQ ID NO: 13), wherein X₃ is L or I, X₄ is N or S, and X₅ is N, T or D; and/or (c) the HC of the isolated antibody comprises a CDR3 consensus sequence RX₁FSSX₂NI (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein X₁ is I or L, and X₂ is S or T, and wherein the LC of the isolated antibody comprises a CDR3 consensus sequence X₃GGESSX₄X₅DGIA (SEQ ID NO: 13), wherein X₃ is L or I, X₄ is N or S, and X₅ is N, T or D.

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of the antibody, the HC further comprises a CDR2 consensus sequence TINSDX₆HX₇YX₈ATWX₉KG (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein X₆ is T or S, X₇ is T or I, X₈ is Y or S, and X₉ is P or A.

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of the antibody, the HC further comprises a CDR1 consensus sequence X₁₀X₁₁AIS (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein X₁₀ is N or S, and X₁₁ is H or N.

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of the antibody, the LC further comprises a CDR2 sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12).

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of the antibody, the LC further comprises a CDR1 consensus sequence QASQSIYX₁₂X₁₃NWLS (SEQ ID NO: 11), wherein X₁₂ is N or K and X₁₃ is N or D.

In some aspects of the antibody, the HC comprises (a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence NHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 14); and/or (b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDTHTYYATWPKG (SEQ ID NO: 15); and/or (c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and/or the LC comprises (a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); and/or (b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or (c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 18).

In some aspects of the antibody, the HC comprises (a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence SNAIS (SEQ ID NO: 19); and/or (b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDSHIYSATWAKG (SEQ ID NO: 20); and/or (c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RLFSSTNI (SEQ ID NO: 21); and/or the LC comprises (a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYKDNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 22); and/or (b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or (c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence LGGESSSDDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 23).

In some aspects of the antibody, the HC comprises (a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence SHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 24); and/or (b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDSHTYYATWAKG (SEQ ID NO: 25); and/or (c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and/or the LC comprises (a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); and/or (b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and/or (c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNTDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 26).

In some aspects of the antibody, the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, or SEQ ID NO: 6.

In some aspects of the antibody, the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, or SEQ ID NO: 7.

In some aspects of the antibody, the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, or SEQ ID NO: 6, and the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, or SEQ ID NO: 7.

In some aspects, the antibody further comprises a detectable label.

In some aspects, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody, a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody.

In another aspect, provided herein is an antigen binding fragment of the antibodies disclosed herein, wherein the antigen binding fragment is selected from the group of Fab, F(ab′)2, Fab′, scF_(v), or F_(v).

In another aspect, provided herein is a composition comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment as disclosed herein bound to a peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, for example, a human PD-L1 protein or a fragment thereof. In an aspect, the peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 is associated with a cell. For example, the composition may comprise a disaggregated cell sample labeled with an antibody or antibody fragment as disclosed herein, which composition is useful in, for example, affinity chromatography methods for isolating cells or for flow cytometry-based cellular analysis or cell sorting. As another example, the composition may comprise a fixed tissue sample or cell smear labeled with an antibody or antibody fragment as disclosed herein, which composition is useful in, for example, immunohistochemistry or cytology analysis. In another aspect, the antibody or the antibody fragment is bound to a solid support, which is useful in, for example: ELISAs; affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation methods for isolating PD-L1 proteins or fragments thereof, PD-L1-positive cells, or complexes containing PD-L1 and other cellular components. In another aspect, the peptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 is bound to a solid support. For example, the peptide may be bound to the solid support via a secondary antibody specific for the peptide, which is useful in, for example, sandwich ELISAs. As another example, the peptide may be bound to a chromatography column, which is useful in, for example, isolation or purification of antibodies according to the present invention. In another aspect, the peptide is disposed in a solution, such as a lysis solution or a solution containing a sub-cellular fraction of a fractionated cell, which is useful in, for example, ELISAs and affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation methods of isolating PD-L1 proteins or fragments thereof or complexes containing PD-L1 and other cellular components. In another aspect, the peptide is associated with a matrix, such as, for example, a gel electrophoresis gel or a matrix commonly used for western blotting (such as membranes made of nitrocellulose or polyvinylidene difluoride), which compositions are useful for electrophoretic and/or immunoblotting techniques, such as Western blotting.

In another aspect, provided herein is a method of detecting PD-L1 in a biological sample comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of, contacting the sample with an antibody or antigen binding fragment as disclosed herein, and detecting a complex formed by the binding of the antibody or antigen binding fragment to PD-L1. In one aspect, the method further comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or yet further consisting of, isolating the sample prior to contacting the sample with the antibody or antigen binding fragment.

In some aspects of the method, the sample comprises a cell or a tissue sample.

In some aspects of the method, the sample is obtained from a subject that is diagnosed as having, suspected as having, or at risk of having cancer.

In some aspects of the method, the cancer is selected from the group consisting of bladder transitional cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.

In some aspects of the method, the detection comprises one or more of immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, Flow cytometry or ELISA.

In another aspect, provided herein is a method of detecting a pathological cell in a sample isolated from a subject, comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of: (a) detecting the level of PD-L1 in a biological sample from the subject by detecting a complex formed by an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the present disclosure binding to PD-L1 in the sample; and (b) comparing the levels of PD-L1 observed in step (a) with the levels of PD-L1 observed in a control biological sample; wherein the pathological cell is detected when the level of PD-L1 is elevated compared to that observed in the control biological sample and the pathological cell is not detected when the level of PD-L1 is not elevated as compared to the observed in the control biological sample.

In some aspects of the method, the biological sample of the subject comprises one or more of a sample isolated from lung, kidney, bladder, breast, pancreas, prostate, cervix or skin.

In some aspects of the method, the detection comprises one or more of immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western Blotting, Flow cytometry or ELISA.

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects, the methods disclosed herein further comprise isolating the biological sample from the subject prior to performance of the methods.

Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of the methods, the subject is a mammal. In some aspects, the mammal is selected from the group of: a murine, feline, canine, ovine, bovine, simian, and a human.

In another aspect, provided herein is a PD-L1-specific antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment has the same epitope specificity as an antibody as disclosed herein.

In a final aspect, provided herein is a kit for detecting PD-L1 comprising an antibody or antigen binding fragment as disclosed herein that optionally comprises instructions for use.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of detecting PD-L1 in a tumor sample comprising (a) contacting the sample with an antibody or an antigen binding fragment of the antibody, wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein the antibody binds to an epitope of human PD-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1) and/or has a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of at least 1.5×10⁻¹¹ M, wherein the HC comprises (i) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence NHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 14); (ii) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDTHTYYATWPKG (SEQ ID NO: 15); and (iii) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and the LC comprises (i) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); (ii) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and (iii) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 18); and (b) detecting a complex formed by the binding of the antibody or antigen binding fragment to PD-L1.

Further provided is an isolated polypeptide comprising, or alternatively consisting essentially of, or yet further consisting of, the amino acid sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1), that are useful to generate antibodies that bind to PD-L1. In one aspect, the isolated polypeptides further comprise a label and/or contiguous polypeptide sequences (e.g., keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) carrier protein) operatively coupled to the amino or carboxyl terminus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows a procedure for generating the monoclonal PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides various immunohistochemically-stained tissue samples. The top row of each column is a color photograph and the bottom row of each column is a grayscale photograph. Antibody staining appears as brown in the color photographs. PD-L1 staining appears as darker regions in the grayscale photographs. Arrows in the grayscale photographs indicate examples of antibody staining in the respective tissues. Column A is an image showing the results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) placental tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Column B is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE tonsil tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Column C is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE Hodgkin lymphoma tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Column D is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263.

FIG. 3 is a Western blot showing PD-L1 expression in cell lysates from a NIH H820 lung adenocarcinoma cell line (high expression), a HEK293 cell line (weak expression), a Calu-3 lung adenocarcinoma cell line (negative control), a ZR75-1 human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control), a MCF7 human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control), and a T47D human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control) using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263.

FIG. 4 illustrates IHC labeling of various tissues using SP263, J45H2L4, and J27H6L4. Left image of each row is a color photograph and right image of each row is the corresponding grayscale. Antibody staining is brown in the color photographs and illustrated by arrows in the grayscale photographs. Row A is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE placental tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Row B is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE colon tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Row C is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE stomach tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. Row D is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE placenta tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J45H2L4. Row E is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE colon tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J45H2L4. Non-specific nuclear staining is seen. Row F is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE stomach tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J45H2L4. Non-specific nuclear staining is seen. Row G is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE placenta tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J27H6L4. Weak staining is seen in placental trophoblasts. Row H is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE colon tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J27H6L4. Row I is an image showing the results of IHC on a FFPE stomach tissue section using anti-PD-L1 antibody clone J27H6L4.

FIG. 5 contains images showing the results of IHC on a FFPE placental tissue section using the indicated concentrations of anti-PD-L1 antibody E1L3N or SP263. The top rows for each antibody are color images and the bottom rows are grayscale images. Antibody staining appears in the color images as brown.

FIG. 6 contains images showing the results of IHC on a FFPE stomach epithelium or nerve tissue sections using the indicated concentrations of anti-PD-L1 antibody E1L3N or SP263. The top rows for each antibody/tissue combinations are color images and the bottom rows are grayscale images. Antibody staining appears in the color images as brown.

FIG. 7 contains images showing the results of IHC on a FFPE stomach epithelium, kidney, bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), breast ductal carcinoma (Ca), and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue sections using anti-PD-L1 antibody E1L3N or SP263. The top rows for each antibody/tissue combinations are color images and the bottom rows are grayscale images. Antibody staining appears in the color images as brown.

FIG. 8 contains images showing the results of IHC using anti-PD-L1 antibody E1L3N or SP263 on the following FFPE tissue sections: (A) tonsil; (B) cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); (C) Hodgkin Lymphoma (HK lymphoma); (D) pancreatic adenocarcinoma; (E) prostate adenocarcinoma; and (F) skin SCC. The top rows for each antibody/tissue combinations are color images and the bottom rows are grayscale images. Antibody staining appears in the color images as brown.

FIG. 9 illustrate shows the results of IHC on FFPE tissue sections from NSCLC patients using the anti-PD-L1 antibodies E1L3N and SP263. Samples A-E are stained with the anti-PD-L1 antibody E1L3N. Samples F-J are stained with anti-PD-L1 antibody SP263. The top rows for each antibody/tissue combinations are color images and the bottom rows are grayscale images. Antibody staining appears in the color images as brown.

FIG. 10 shows the results of an ELISA assay involving SP263 binding to immobilized peptide immunogen (PD-L1 aa 272-290).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular aspects described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described. All technical and patent publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the disclosure is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior disclosure.

The practice of the present technology will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of tissue culture, immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology and recombinant DNA, which are within the skill of the art. See, e.g., Sambrook and Russell eds. (2001) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd edition; the series Ausubel et al. eds. (2007) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology; the series Methods in Enzymology (Academic Press, Inc., N.Y.); MacPherson et al. (1991) PCR 1: A Practical Approach (IRL Press at Oxford University Press); MacPherson et al. (1995) PCR 2: A Practical Approach; Harlow and Lane eds. (1999) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual; Freshney (2005) Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, 5th edition; Gait ed. (1984) Oligonucleotide Synthesis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,195; Hames and Higgins eds. (1984) Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Anderson (1999) Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Hames and Higgins eds. (1984) Transcription and Translation; Immobilized Cells and Enzymes (IRL Press (1986)); Perbal (1984) A Practical Guide to Molecular Cloning; Miller and Calos eds. (1987) Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory); Makrides ed. (2003) Gene Transfer and Expression in Mammalian Cells; Mayer and Walker eds. (1987) Immunochemical Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology (Academic Press, London); and Herzenberg et al. eds (1996) Weir's Handbook of Experimental Immunology.

All numerical designations, e.g., pH, temperature, time, concentration and molecular weight, including ranges, are approximations which are varied (+) or (−) by increments of 1.0 or 0.1, as appropriate, or alternatively by a variation of +/−15%, or alternatively 10%, or alternatively 5% or alternatively 2%. It is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that all numerical designations are preceded by the term “about”. It also is to be understood, although not always explicitly stated, that the reagents described herein are merely exemplary and that equivalents of such are known in the art.

It is to be inferred without explicit recitation and unless otherwise intended, that when the disclosure relates to a polypeptide, protein, polynucleotide or antibody, an equivalent or a biologically equivalent of such is intended within the scope of this disclosure.

As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a cell” includes a plurality of cells, including mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the “administration” of an agent or drug to a subject or subject includes any route of introducing or delivering to a subject a compound to perform its intended function. Suitable dosage formulations and methods of administering the agents are known in the art. Route of administration can also be determined and method of determining the most effective route of administration are known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the composition used for treatment, the purpose of the treatment, the health condition or disease stage of the subject being treated and target cell or tissue. Non-limiting examples of route of administration include oral administration, vaginal, nasal administration, injection, topical application and by suppository. Administration includes self-administration and the administration by another. It is also to be appreciated that the various modes of treatment or prevention of medical conditions as described are intended to mean “substantial”, which includes total but also less than total treatment or prevention, and wherein some biologically or medically relevant result is achieved.

Administration can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently throughout the course of treatment. Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration are known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the composition used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, the target cell being treated and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician.

As used herein, the term “animal” refers to living multi-cellular vertebrate organisms, a category that includes, for example, mammals and birds. The term “mammal” includes both human and non-human mammals. Similarly, the term “subject” or “patient” includes both human and veterinary subjects, for example, humans, non-human primates, dogs, cats, sheep, mice, horses, and cows.

As used herein, the term “antibody” collectively refers to immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin-like molecules including by way of example and without limitation, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM, combinations thereof, and similar molecules produced during an immune response in any vertebrate, for example, in mammals such as humans, goats, rabbits and mice, as well as non-mammalian species, such as shark immunoglobulins. The term “antibody” includes intact immunoglobulins and “antibody fragments” or “antigen binding fragments” that specifically bind to a molecule of interest (or a group of highly similar molecules of interest) to the substantial exclusion of binding to other molecules (for example, antibodies and antibody fragments that have a binding constant for the molecule of interest that is at least 10³ M⁻¹ greater, at least 10⁴ M⁻¹ greater or at least 10⁵ M⁻¹ greater than a binding constant for other molecules in a biological sample). The term “antibody” also includes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (for example, humanized murine antibodies), heteroconjugate antibodies (such as, bispecific antibodies). See also, Pierce Catalog and Handbook, 1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.); Kuby, J., Immunology, 3^(rd) Ed., W.H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1997.

More particularly, “antibody” refers to a polypeptide ligand comprising at least a light chain or heavy chain immunoglobulin variable region which specifically recognizes and binds an epitope of an antigen. Antibodies are composed of a heavy and a light chain, each of which has a variable region, termed the variable heavy (V_(H)) region and the variable light (V_(L)) region. Together, the V_(H) region and the V_(L) region are responsible for binding the antigen recognized by the antibody.

Typically, an immunoglobulin has heavy (H) chains and light (L) chains interconnected by disulfide bonds. There are two types of light chain, lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). There are five main heavy chain classes (or isotypes) which determine the functional activity of an antibody molecule: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA and IgE. Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variable region, (the regions are also known as “domains”). In combination, the heavy and the light chain variable regions specifically bind the antigen. Light and heavy chain variable regions contain a “framework” region interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called “complementarity-determining regions” or “CDRs”. The extent of the framework region and CDRs have been defined (see, Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991, which is hereby incorporated by reference). The Kabat database is now maintained online. The sequences of the framework regions of different light or heavy chains are relatively conserved within a species. The framework region of an antibody, that is the combined framework regions of the constituent light and heavy chains, largely adopt a β-sheet conformation and the CDRs form loops which connect, and in some cases form part of, the β-sheet structure. Thus, framework regions act to form a scaffold that provides for positioning the CDRs in correct orientation by inter-chain, non-covalent interactions.

The CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of an antigen. The CDRs of each chain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus, and are also typically identified by the chain in which the particular CDR is located. Thus, a V_(H) CDR3 is located in the variable domain of the heavy chain of the antibody in which it is found, whereas a V_(L) CDR1 is the CDR1 from the variable domain of the light chain of the antibody in which it is found. An antibody that binds PD-L1 will have a specific V_(H) region and the V_(L) region sequence, and thus specific CDR sequences. Antibodies with different specificities (i.e. different combining sites for different antigens) have different CDRs. Although it is the CDRs that vary from antibody to antibody, only a limited number of amino acid positions within the CDRs are directly involved in antigen binding. These positions within the CDRs are called specificity determining residues (SDRs).

The term “antibody” is further intended to encompass digestion fragments, specified portions, derivatives and variants thereof, including antibody mimetics or comprising portions of antibodies that mimic the structure and/or function of an antibody or specified fragment or portion thereof, including single chain antibodies and fragments thereof. Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term “antigen binding portion” of an antibody include a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the V_(L), V_(H), C_(L) and C_(H), domains; a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; a F_(d) fragment consisting of the V_(H) and C_(H), domains; a F_(v) fragment consisting of the V_(L) and V_(H) domains of a single arm of an antibody, a dAb fragment (Ward et al. (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a V_(H) domain; and an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR). Furthermore, although the two domains of the F_(v) fragment, V_(L) and V_(H), are coded for by separate genes, they can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linker that enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which the V_(L) and V_(H) regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as single chain F_(v) (scF_(v))). Bird et al. (1988) Science 242:423-426 and Huston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 85:5879-5883. Single chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within the term “fragment of an antibody.” Any of the above-noted antibody fragments are obtained using conventional techniques known to those of skill in the art, and the fragments are screened for binding specificity and neutralization activity in the same manner as are intact antibodies.

“Antibody fragments” or “antigen binding fragments” include proteolytic antibody fragments (such as F(ab′)₂ fragments, Fab′ fragments, Fab′-SH fragments and Fab fragments as are known in the art), recombinant antibody fragments (such as sF_(v) fragments, dsF_(v) fragments, bispecific sF_(v) fragments, bispecific dsF_(v) fragments, F(ab)′₂ fragments, single chain Fv proteins (“scF_(v)”), disulfide stabilized F_(v) proteins (“dsF_(v)”), diabodies, and triabodies (as are known in the art), and camelid antibodies (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,695; 6,005,079; 5,874,541; 5,840,526; 5,800,988; and 5,759,808). An scF_(v) protein is a fusion protein in which a light chain variable region of an immunoglobulin and a heavy chain variable region of an immunoglobulin are bound by a linker, while in dsF_(v)s, the chains have been mutated to introduce a disulfide bond to stabilize the association of the chains.

As used herein, the term “antibody derivative” is intended to encompass molecules that bind an epitope as defined herein and which are modifications or derivatives of an isolated PD-L1 antibody of this disclosure. Derivatives include, but are not limited to, for example, bispecific, heterospecific, trispecific, tetraspecific, multispecific antibodies, diabodies, chimeric, recombinant and humanized. As used herein, the term “bispecific molecule” is intended to include any agent, e.g., a protein, peptide, or protein or peptide complex, which has two different binding specificities. As used herein, the term “multispecific molecule” or “heterospecific molecule” is intended to include any agent, e.g., a protein, peptide, or protein or peptide complex, which has more than two different binding specificities. As used herein, the term “heteroantibodies” refers to two or more antibodies, antibody binding fragments (e.g., Fab), derivatives thereof, or antigen binding regions linked together, at least two of which have different specificities.

The term “antibody variant” is intended to include antibodies produced in a species other than a rabbit. It also includes antibodies containing post-translational modifications to the linear polypeptide sequence of the antibody or fragment. It further encompasses fully human antibodies.

As used herein, the term “antigen” refers to a compound, composition, or substance that may be specifically bound by the products of specific humoral or cellular immunity, such as an antibody molecule or T-cell receptor. Antigens can be any type of molecule including, for example, haptens, simple intermediary metabolites, sugars (e.g., oligosaccharides), lipids, and hormones as well as macromolecules such as complex carbohydrates (e.g., polysaccharides), phospholipids, and proteins. Common categories of antigens include, but are not limited to, viral antigens, bacterial antigens, fungal antigens, protozoa and other parasitic antigens, tumor antigens, antigens involved in autoimmune disease, allergy and graft rejection, toxins, and other miscellaneous antigens.

As used herein, “binding affinity” refers to the tendency of one molecule to bind (typically non-covalently) with another molecule, such as the tendency of a member of a specific binding pair for another member of a specific binding pair. A binding affinity can be measured as a binding constant, which binding affinity for a specific binding pair (such as an antibody/antigen pair) can be at least 1×10⁻⁵ M, at least 1×10⁻⁶ M, at least 1×10⁻⁷ M, at least 1×10⁻⁸ M, at least 1×10⁻⁹ M, at least 1×10⁻¹⁰ M, at least 1×10⁻¹¹ M or at least 1×10⁻¹² M. In one aspect, binding affinity is calculated by a modification of the Scatchard method described by Frankel et al., Mol. Immunol., 16:101-106, 1979. In another aspect, binding affinity is measured by an antigen/antibody dissociation rate. In yet another aspect, a high binding affinity is measured by a competition radioimmunoassay. In several examples, a high binding affinity for an antibody/antigen pair is at least about 1×10⁻⁸ M. In other aspects, a high binding affinity is at least about 1.5×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 2.0×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 2.5×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 3.0×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 3.5×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 4.0×10⁻⁸ M, at least about 4.5×10⁻⁸ M, or at least about 5.0×10⁻⁸ M.

As used herein, the term “biological equivalent thereof” is intended to be synonymous with “equivalent thereof” when referring to a reference protein, antibody, polypeptide, polynucleotide or nucleic acid, and intends those having minimal homology while still maintaining desired structure or functionality. Unless specifically recited herein, it is contemplated that any nucleic acid, polynucleotide, polypeptide, protein or antibody mentioned herein also includes equivalents thereof. For example, an equivalent intends at least about 80% homology or identity and alternatively, at least about 85%, or alternatively at least about 90%, or alternatively at least about 95%, or alternatively 98% percent homology or identity and exhibits substantially equivalent biological activity to the reference protein, polypeptide, antibody or nucleic acid.

In one aspect, the term “equivalent” or “biological equivalent” of an antibody means the ability of the antibody to selectively bind its epitope protein or fragment thereof as measured by ELISA, IHC or other suitable methods. Biologically equivalent antibodies include, but are not limited to, those antibodies, peptides, antibody fragments, antibody variant, antibody derivative and antibody mimetics that bind to the same epitope as the reference antibody. The skilled artisan can prepare an antibody functionally equivalent to the antibodies of the present disclosure by introducing appropriate mutations into the antibody using site-directed mutagenesis (Hashimoto-Gotoh, T. et al., Gene 152, 271-275 (1995); Zoller & Smith, Methods Enzymol. 100, 468-500 (1983); Kramer, W. et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 12, 9441-9456 (1984); Kramer W. & Fritz H J., Methods. Enzymol. 154, 350-367 (1987); Kunkel, T A., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 82, 488-492 (1985); and Kunkel Methods Enzymol. 85, 2763-2766 (1988)).

Antibodies that are functionally equivalent to the antibodies of the present disclosure and comprise an amino acid sequence comprising mutation of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence of an antibody of the present disclosure are also included in the antibodies of the present disclosure. In such mutants, the number of amino acids that are mutated is generally 50 amino acids or less, preferably 30 or less, and more preferably 10 or less (for example, 5 amino acids or less). An amino acid residue is preferably mutated into one that conserves the properties of the amino acid side chain. For example, based on their side chain properties, amino acids are classified into: hydrophobic amino acids (A, I, L, M, F, P, W, Y, and V); hydrophilic amino acids (R, D, N, C, E, Q, G, H, K, S, and T); amino acids having aliphatic side-chains (G, A, V, L, I, and P); amino acids having hydroxyl group-containing side-chains (S, T, and Y); amino acids having sulfur atom-containing side-chains (C and M); amino acids having carboxylic acid- and amide-containing side-chains (D, N, E, and Q); base-containing side-chains (R, K, and H); and amino acids having aromatic-containing side-chains (H, F, Y, and W).

(The letters within parentheses indicate one-letter amino acid codes)

As used herein, the term “biological sample” means sample material derived from or contacted by living cells. The term “biological sample” is intended to include tissues, cells and biological fluids isolated from a subject, as well as tissues, cells and fluids present within a subject. Biological samples of the disclosure include, e.g., but are not limited to, whole blood, plasma, semen, saliva, tears, urine, fecal material, sweat, buccal, skin, cerebrospinal fluid, and hair. Biological samples can also be obtained from biopsies of internal organs or from cancers. Biological samples can be obtained from subjects for diagnosis or research or can be obtained from healthy individuals, as controls or for basic research.

The terms “cancer,” “neoplasm,” and “tumor,” used interchangeably and in either the singular or plural form, refer to cells that have undergone a malignant transformation that makes them pathological to the host organism and are selected from the group consisting of bladder transitional cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Primary cancer cells (that is, cells obtained from near the site of malignant transformation) can be readily distinguished from non-cancerous cells by well-established techniques, particularly histological examination. The definition of a cancer cell, as used herein, includes not only a primary cancer cell, but also any cell derived from a cancer cell ancestor. This includes metastasized cancer cells, and in vitro cultures and cell lines derived from cancer cells. When referring to a type of cancer that normally manifests as a solid tumor, a “clinically detectable” tumor is one that is detectable on the basis of tumor mass; e.g., by such procedures as CAT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound or palpation. Biochemical or immunologic findings alone may be insufficient to meet this definition.

A neoplasm is an abnormal mass or colony of cells produced by a relatively autonomous new growth of tissue. Most neoplasms arise from the clonal expansion of a single cell that has undergone neoplastic transformation. The transformation of a normal to a neoplastic cell can be caused by a chemical, physical, or biological agent (or event) that directly and irreversibly alters the cell genome. Neoplastic cells are characterized by the loss of some specialized functions and the acquisition of new biological properties, foremost, the property of relatively autonomous (uncontrolled) growth. Neoplastic cells pass on their heritable biological characteristics to progeny cells.

The past, present, and future predicted biological behavior, or clinical course, of a neoplasm is further classified as benign or malignant, a distinction of great importance in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. A malignant neoplasm manifests a greater degree of autonomy, is capable of invasion and metastatic spread, may be resistant to treatment, and may cause death. A benign neoplasm has a lesser degree of autonomy, is usually not invasive, does not metastasize, and generally produces no great harm if treated adequately.

Cancer is a generic term for malignant neoplasms. Anaplasia is a characteristic property of cancer cells and denotes a lack of normal structural and functional characteristics (undifferentiation).

A tumor is literally a swelling of any type, such as an inflammatory or other swelling, but modem usage generally denotes a neoplasm.

Histogenesis is the origin of a tissue and is a method of classifying neoplasms on the basis of the tissue cell of origin. Adenomas are benign neoplasms of glandular epithelium. Carcinomas are malignant tumors of epithelium. Sarcomas are malignant tumors of mesenchymal tissues. One system to classify neoplasia utilizes biological (clinical) behavior, whether benign or malignant, and the histogenesis, the tissue or cell of origin of the neoplasm as determined by histologic and cytologic examination. Neoplasms may originate in almost any tissue containing cells capable of mitotic division. The histogenetic classification of neoplasms is based upon the tissue (or cell) of origin as determined by histologic and cytologic examination.

As used herein, the term “chimeric antibody” means an antibody in which the Fc constant region of a monoclonal antibody from one species (e.g., a mouse Fc constant region) is replaced, using recombinant DNA techniques, with an Fc constant region from an antibody of another species (e.g., a human Fc constant region). See generally, Robinson et al., PCT/US86/02269; Akira et al., European Patent Application 184,187; Taniguchi, European Patent Application 171,496; Morrison et al., European Patent Application 173,494; Neuberger et al., WO 86/01533; Cabilly et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly et al., European Patent Application 125,023; Better et al., Science 240: 1041-1043, 1988; Liu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84: 3439-3443, 1987; Liu et al., J. Immunol. 139: 3521-3526, 1987; Sun et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84: 214-218, 1987; Nishimura et al., Cancer Res 47: 999-1005, 1987; Wood et al., Nature 314: 446-449, 1885; and Shaw et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 80: 1553-1559, 1988. In certain aspects the target binding region or site will be from a non-human source (e.g. mouse or primate) and the constant region is human.

As used herein, the term “comprising” is intended to mean that the compositions and methods include the recited elements, but do not exclude others. “Consisting essentially of” when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean excluding other elements of any essential significance to the combination for the intended use. For example, a composition consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude trace contaminants from the isolation and purification method and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as phosphate buffered saline, preservatives and the like. “Consisting of” shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps for administering the compositions of this disclosure. Aspects defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this disclosure.

A “control” biological sample is an alternative sample used in an experiment for comparison purpose. A control can be “positive” or “negative”. For example, where the purpose of the experiment is to determine a correlation of the efficacy of a therapeutic agent for the treatment for a particular type of cancer, it is generally preferable to use a positive control (a compound or composition known to exhibit the desired therapeutic effect) and a negative control (a subject or a sample that does not receive the therapy or receives a placebo).

As used herein, the term “detectable label” refers to a molecule or material that can produce a detectable (such as visually, electronically or otherwise) signal that indicates the presence and/or concentration of the label in a sample. When conjugated to a specific binding molecule, the detectable label can be used to locate and/or quantify the target to which the specific binding molecule is directed. Thereby, the presence and/or concentration of the target in a sample can be detected by detecting the signal produced by the detectable label. A detectable label can be detected directly or indirectly, and several different detectable labels conjugated to different specific-binding molecules can be used in combination to detect one or more targets. For example, a first detectable label conjugated to an antibody specific to a target can be detected indirectly through the use of a second detectable label that is conjugated to a molecule that specifically binds the first detectable label. Multiple detectable labels that can be separately detected can be conjugated to different specific binding molecules that specifically bind different targets to provide a multiplexed assay that can provide simultaneous detection of the multiple targets in a sample. A detectable signal can be generated by any mechanism including absorption, emission and/or scattering of a photon (including radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared frequency, visible frequency and ultra-violet frequency photons). Detectable labels include colored, fluorescent, phosphorescent and luminescent molecules and materials, catalysts (such as enzymes) that convert one substance into another substance to provide a detectable difference (such as by converting a colorless substance into a colored substance or vice versa, or by producing a precipitate or increasing sample turbidity), haptens that can be detected through antibody-hapten binding interactions using additional detectably labeled antibody conjugates, and paramagnetic and magnetic molecules or materials. Particular examples of detectable labels include enzymes such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glucose oxidase, β-galactosidase or β-glucuronidase; fluorphores such as fluoresceins, luminophores, coumarins, BODIPY dyes, resorufins, and rhodamines (many additional examples of fluorescent molecules can be found in The Handbook—A Guide to Fluorescent Probes and Labeling Technologies, Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.); nanoparticles such as quantum dots (obtained, for example, from QuantumDot Corp, Invitrogen Nanocrystal Technologies, Hayward, Calif.; see also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,815,064, 6,682,596 and 6,649,138, each of which patents is incorporated by reference herein); metal chelates such as DOTA and DPTA chelates of radioactive or paramagnetic metal ions like Gd³⁺; and liposomes, for example, liposomes containing trapped fluorescent molecules. Where the detectable label includes an enzyme, a detectable substrate such as a chromogen, a fluorogenic compound, or a luminogenic compound can be used in combination with the enzyme to generate a detectable signal (A wide variety of such compounds are commercially available, for example, from Invitrogen Corporation, Eugene Oreg.). Particular examples of chromogenic compounds include diaminobenzidine (DAB), 4-nitrophenylphospate (pNPP), fast red, bromochloroindolyl phosphate (BCIP), nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), BCIP/NBT, fast red, AP Orange, AP blue, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), 2,2′-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulphonate] (ABTS), o-dianisidine, 4-chloronaphthol (4-CN), nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG), o-phenylenediamine (OPD), 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-galactopyranoside (X-Gal), methylumbelliferyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (MU-Gal), p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside (PNP), 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-glucuronide (X-Gluc), 3-amino-9-ethyl carbazol (AEC), fuchsin, iodonitrotetrazolium (INT), tetrazolium blue and tetrazolium violet. Alternatively, an enzyme can be used in a metallographic detection scheme. Metallographic detection methods include using an enzyme such as alkaline phosphatase in combination with a water-soluble metal ion and a redox-inactive substrate of the enzyme. The substrate is converted to a redox-active agent by the enzyme, and the redox-active agent reduces the metal ion, causing it to form a detectable precipitate. (See, for example, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/015,646, filed Dec. 20, 2004, PCT Publication No. 2005/003777 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0265922; each of which is incorporated by reference herein). Metallographic detection methods include using an oxido-reductase enzyme (such as horseradish peroxidase) along with a water soluble metal ion, an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, again to form a detectable precipitate. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,670,113, which is incorporated by reference herein). Haptens are small molecules that are specifically bound by antibodies, although by themselves they will not elicit an immune response in an animal and must first be attached to a larger carrier molecule such as a protein to generate an immune response. Examples of haptens include di-nitrophenyl, biotin, digoxigenin, and fluorescein. Additional examples of oxazole, pyrazole, thiazole, nitroaryl, benzofuran, triperpene, urea, thiourea, rotenoid, coumarin and cyclolignan haptens are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/856,133, filed Nov. 1, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein. In an illustrative example, the detectable label comprises a non-endogenous hapten (e.g. not biotin), such as, for example, the haptens disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,695,929, 8,618,265 and 8,846,320 (incorporated herein by reference), including for example pyrazoles, nitrophenyl compounds, benzofurazans, triterpenes, ureas and thioureas, rotenone and rotenone derivatives, oxazoles and thiazoles, coumarin and coumarin derivatives, and cyclolignans. Such detectable labels can be detected using antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof capable of binding to the hapten.

As used herein, an “epitope” or “antigenic determinant” refers to particular chemical groups or contiguous or non-contiguous peptide sequences on a molecule that are antigenic, i.e., that elicit a specific immune response. An antibody binds a particular antigenic epitope. Epitopes usually consist of chemically active surface groupings of molecules such as amino acids or sugar side chains and usually have specific three dimensional structural characteristics, as well as specific charge characteristics. Conformational and nonconformational epitopes are distinguished in that the binding to the former but not the latter is lost in the presence of denaturing solvents.

As used herein, “expression” refers to the process by which polynucleotides are transcribed into mRNA and/or the process by which the transcribed mRNA is subsequently being translated into peptides, polypeptides, or proteins. If the polynucleotide is derived from genomic DNA, expression may include splicing of the mRNA in an eukaryotic cell. The expression level of a gene may be determined by measuring the amount of mRNA or protein in a cell or tissue sample. In one aspect, the expression level of a gene from one sample may be directly compared to the expression level of that gene from a control or reference sample. In another aspect, the expression level of a gene from one sample may be directly compared to the expression level of that gene from the same sample following administration of a compound.

As used herein, “homology” or “identical”, percent “identity” or “similarity”, when used in the context of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences, refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of nucleotides or amino acid residues that are the same, e.g., at least 60% identity, preferably at least 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or higher identity over a specified region (e.g., nucleotide sequence encoding an antibody described herein or amino acid sequence of an antibody described herein). Homology can be determined by comparing a position in each sequence which may be aligned for purposes of comparison. When a position in the compared sequence is occupied by the same base or amino acid, then the molecules are homologous at that position. A degree of homology between sequences is a function of the number of matching or homologous positions shared by the sequences. The alignment and the percent homology or sequence identity can be determined using software programs known in the art, for example those described in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds. 1987) Supplement 30, section 7.7.18, Table 7.7.1. Preferably, default parameters are used for alignment. A preferred alignment program is BLAST, using default parameters. In particular, preferred programs are BLASTN and BLASTP, using the following default parameters: Genetic code=standard; filter=none; strand=both; cutoff=60; expect=10; Matrix=BLOSUM62; Descriptions=50 sequences; sort by=HIGH SCORE; Databases=non-redundant, GenBank+EMBL+DDBJ+PDB+GenBank CDS translations+SwissProtein+SPupdate+PIR. Details of these programs can be found at the following Internet address: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/BLAST. The terms “homology” or “identical”, percent “identity” or “similarity” also refer to, or can be applied to, the complement of a test sequence. The terms also include sequences that have deletions and/or additions, as well as those that have substitutions. As described herein, the preferred algorithms can account for gaps and the like. Preferably, identity exists over a region that is at least about 25 amino acids or nucleotides in length, or more preferably over a region that is at least 50-100 amino acids or nucleotides in length. An “unrelated” or “non-homologous” sequence shares less than 40% identity, or alternatively less than 25% identity, with one of the sequences of the present disclosure.

The term “human antibody” as used herein, is intended to include antibodies having variable and constant regions derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. The human antibodies of the disclosure may include amino acid residues not encoded by human germline immunoglobulin sequences (e.g., mutations introduced by random or site-specific mutagenesis in vitro or by somatic mutation in vivo). However, the term “human antibody” as used herein, is not intended to include antibodies in which CDR sequences derived from the germline of another mammalian species, such as a rabbit, have been grafted onto human framework sequences. Thus, as used herein, the term “human antibody” refers to an antibody in which substantially every part of the protein (e.g., CDR, framework, C_(L), C_(H) domains (e.g., C_(H1), C_(H2), C_(H3)), hinge, V_(L), V_(H)) is substantially non-immunogenic in humans, with only minor sequence changes or variations. Similarly, antibodies designated primate (monkey, baboon, chimpanzee, etc.), rodent (mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, and the like) and other mammals designate such species, sub-genus, genus, sub-family, family specific antibodies. Further, chimeric antibodies include any combination of the above. Such changes or variations optionally and preferably retain or reduce the immunogenicity in humans or other species relative to non-modified antibodies. Thus, a human antibody is distinct from a chimeric or humanized antibody. It is pointed out that a human antibody can be produced by a non-human animal or prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell that is capable of expressing functionally rearranged human immunoglobulin (e.g., heavy chain and/or light chain) genes. Further, when a human antibody is a single chain antibody, it can comprise a linker peptide that is not found in native human antibodies. For example, an F_(v) can comprise a linker peptide, such as two to about eight glycine or other amino acid residues, which connects the variable region of the heavy chain and the variable region of the light chain. Such linker peptides are considered to be of human origin.

As used herein, the term “humanized antibody” refers to an antibody comprising a humanized light chain and a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin. A humanized antibody binds to the same antigen as the donor antibody that provides the CDRs. The acceptor framework of a humanized immunoglobulin or antibody may have a limited number of substitutions by amino acids taken from the donor framework. Humanized or other monoclonal antibodies can have additional conservative amino acid substitutions which have substantially no effect on antigen binding or other immunoglobulin functions. Humanized immunoglobulins can be constructed by means of genetic engineering (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089).

As used herein, the term “humanized immunoglobulin” refers to an immunoglobulin including a human framework region and one or more CDRs from a non-human (for example a mouse, rat, rabbit or synthetic) immunoglobulin. The non-human immunoglobulin providing the CDRs is termed a “donor,” and the human immunoglobulin providing the framework is termed an “acceptor.” In one aspect, all the CDRs are from the donor immunoglobulin in a humanized immunoglobulin. Constant regions need not be present, but if they are, they must be substantially identical to human immunoglobulin constant regions, i.e., at least about 85-90%, or at least about 95% or more identical. Hence, all parts of a humanized immunoglobulin, except possibly the CDRs, are substantially identical to corresponding parts of natural human immunoglobulin sequences.

The term “isolated” as used herein refers to molecules or biological or cellular materials being substantially free from other materials. In one aspect, the term “isolated” refers to nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA, or protein or polypeptide (e.g., an antibody or derivative thereof), or cell or cellular organelle, or tissue or organ, separated from other DNAs or RNAs, or proteins or polypeptides, or cells or cellular organelles, or tissues or organs, respectively, that are present in the natural source. The term “isolated” also refers to a nucleic acid or peptide that is substantially free of cellular material, viral material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant DNA techniques, or chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. Moreover, an “isolated nucleic acid” is meant to include nucleic acid fragments which are not naturally occurring as fragments and would not be found in the natural state. The term “isolated” is also used herein to refer to polypeptides which are isolated from other cellular proteins and is meant to encompass both purified and recombinant polypeptides. The term “isolated” is also used herein to refer to cells or tissues that are isolated from other cells or tissues and is meant to encompass both cultured and engineered cells or tissues.

As used herein, the term “monoclonal antibody” refers to an antibody produced by a single clone of B-lymphocytes or by a cell into which the light and heavy chain genes of a single antibody have been transfected. Monoclonal antibodies are produced by methods known to those of skill in the art, for instance by making hybrid antibody-forming cells from a fusion of myeloma cells with immune spleen cells. Monoclonal antibodies include humanized monoclonal antibodies.

As used herein, a “pathological cell” is one that is pertaining to or arising from disease. Pathological cells can be hyperproliferative. A “hyperproliferative cell” means cells or tissue are dividing and growing at a rate greater than that when the cell or tissue is in a normal or healthy state. Examples of such include, but are not limited to precancerous (i.e., epithelial dysplasia) and cancer cells. Hyperproliferative cells also include de-differentiated, immortalized, neoplastic, malignant, metastatic, and cancer cells such as sarcoma cells, leukemia cells, carcinoma cells, or adenocarcinoma cells.

As used herein, “PD-L1” (Programmed death ligand-1) or “B7-H1” (Human B7 homolog 1), or PDCD1L1 (Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1) is a member of the growing B7 family of immune proteins that provide signals for both stimulating and inhibiting T cell activation. Human PD-L1 encodes a 290 amino acid (aa) type I membrane precursor protein with a putative 18 aa signal peptide, a 221 aa extracellular domain, a 21 aa transmembrane region, and a 31 aa cytoplasmic domain (Entrez Gene ID: 29126, UniProtKB: Q9NZQ7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ last accessed Oct. 20, 2014).

The term “protein”, “peptide” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably and in their broadest sense to refer to a compound of two or more subunit amino acids, amino acid analogs or peptidomimetics. The subunits may be linked by peptide bonds. In another aspect, the subunit may be linked by other bonds, e.g., ester, ether, etc. A protein or peptide must contain at least two amino acids and no limitation is placed on the maximum number of amino acids which may comprise a protein's or peptide's sequence. As used herein the term “amino acid” refers to either natural and/or unnatural or synthetic amino acids, including glycine and both the D and L optical isomers, amino acid analogs and peptidomimetics.

The terms “polynucleotide” and “oligonucleotide” are used interchangeably and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides can have any three-dimensional structure and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: a gene or gene fragment (for example, a probe, primer, EST or SAGE tag), exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, RNAi, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes and primers. A polynucleotide can comprise modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure can be imparted before or after assembly of the polynucleotide. The sequence of nucleotides can be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide can be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. The term also refers to both double- and single-stranded molecules. Unless otherwise specified or required, any aspect of this disclosure that is a polynucleotide encompasses both the double-stranded form and each of two complementary single-stranded forms known or predicted to make up the double-stranded form.

A polynucleotide is composed of a specific sequence of four nucleotide bases: adenine (A); cytosine (C); guanine (G); thymine (T); and uracil (U) for thymine when the polynucleotide is RNA. Thus, the term “polynucleotide sequence” is the alphabetical representation of a polynucleotide molecule. This alphabetical representation can be input into databases in a computer having a central processing unit and used for bioinformatics applications such as functional genomics and homology searching.

As used herein, the term “purified” does not require absolute purity; rather, it is intended as a relative term. Thus, for example, a purified nucleic acid, peptide, protein, biological complexes or other active compound is one that is isolated in whole or in part from proteins or other contaminants. Generally, substantially purified peptides, proteins, biological complexes, or other active compounds for use within the disclosure comprise more than 80% of all macromolecular species present in a preparation prior to admixture or formulation of the peptide, protein, biological complex or other active compound with a pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, buffer, absorption enhancing agent, stabilizer, preservative, adjuvant or other co-ingredient in a complete pharmaceutical formulation for therapeutic administration. More typically, the peptide, protein, biological complex or other active compound is purified to represent greater than 90%, often greater than 95% of all macromolecular species present in a purified preparation prior to admixture with other formulation ingredients. In other cases, the purified preparation may be essentially homogeneous, wherein other macromolecular species are not detectable by conventional techniques.

As used herein, the term “specific binding” means the contact between an antibody and an antigen with a binding affinity of at least 10⁻⁶ M. In certain aspects, antibodies bind with affinities of at least about 10⁻⁷ M, and preferably 10⁻⁸ M, 10⁻⁹ M, 10⁻¹⁰ M, 10⁻¹¹ M, or 10⁻¹² M.

As used herein, the term “recombinant protein” refers to a polypeptide which is produced by recombinant DNA techniques, wherein generally, DNA encoding the polypeptide is inserted into a suitable expression vector which is in turn used to transform a host cell to produce the heterologous protein.

As used herein, “treating” or “treatment” of a disease in a subject refers to (1) preventing the symptoms or disease from occurring in a subject that is predisposed or does not yet display symptoms of the disease; (2) inhibiting the disease or arresting its development; or (3) ameliorating or causing regression of the disease or the symptoms of the disease. As understood in the art, “treatment” is an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired results, including clinical results. For the purposes of this disclosure, beneficial or desired results can include one or more, but are not limited to, alleviation or amelioration of one or more symptoms, diminishment of extent of a condition (including a disease), stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of a condition (including disease), delay or slowing of condition (including disease), progression, amelioration or palliation of the condition (including disease), states and remission (whether partial or total), whether detectable or undetectable. Preferred are compounds that are potent and can be administered locally at very low doses, thus minimizing systemic adverse effects.

Modes for Carrying Out the Disclosure

Antibodies and Antibody Fragments

The general structure of antibodies is known in the art and will only be briefly summarized here. An immunoglobulin monomer comprises two heavy chains and two light chains connected by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain is paired with one of the light chains to which it is directly bound via a disulfide bond. Each heavy chain comprises a constant region (which varies depending on the isotype of the antibody) and a variable region. The variable region comprises three hypervariable regions (or complementarity determining regions) which are designated CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3 and which are supported within framework regions. Each light chain comprises a constant region and a variable region, with the variable region comprising three hypervariable regions (designated CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3) supported by framework regions in an analogous manner to the variable region of the heavy chain.

The hypervariable regions of each pair of heavy and light chains mutually cooperate to provide an antigen binding site that is capable of binding a target antigen. The binding specificity of a pair of heavy and light chains is defined by the sequence of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy and light chains. Thus once a set of CDR sequences (i.e. the sequence of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 for the heavy and light chains) is determined which gives rise to a particular binding specificity, the set of CDR sequences can, in principle, be inserted into the appropriate positions within any other antibody framework regions linked with any antibody constant regions in order to provide a different antibody with the same antigen binding specificity.

With the above in mind, in one aspect, provided herein is an isolated antibody comprising a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein the heavy chain and light chain immunoglobulin variable domain sequences form an antigen binding site that binds to an epitope of human PD-L1 comprising the amino acid sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1) and/or has a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of at least 1.5×10⁻¹¹ M.

In one aspect, the sequences of CDR3 of the heavy and light chains of the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure conform with the consensus sequences set out in SEQ ID NOS: 10 and 13.

In one aspect, the sequences of CDR1 and CDR2 of the heavy chain of the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure conform with the consensus sequences set out in SEQ ID NOS: 8 and 9.

In another aspect, the sequences of CDR1 of the light chain of the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure conform with the consensus sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 11.

In another aspect, the sequence of CDR2 of the light chain of the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12.

In another aspect, the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure has the CDR3 sequence of the light chain conforming with the consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 and the CDR3 sequence of the heavy chain conforming with the consensus sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10.

Specific CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 sequences from some of the preferred antibodies (SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4) of the disclosure are set out in Table 1. Thus, the present disclosure provides antibodies comprising CDRs 1 to 3 having the sequences from these preferred antibodies. However, since there is a high level of sequence identity between sequences of the preferred antibodies of the disclosure, it is also within the scope of the disclosure to provide antibodies with CDR sequences from different preferred antibodies. For example, also included in the disclosure is an antibody comprising a heavy chain having the sequence of CDR1 from J27H6L4, CDR2 from J45H2L4 and CDR3 from SP263 and light chain having the sequence of CDR1 from J45H2L4, CDR2 from SP263 and CDR3 from J27H6L4.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the isolated antibody includes one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises one or more CDRs that are at least 85% identical to a CDR of a LC variable domain of SP263, J45H2L4 or J27H6L4;

(b) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises one or more CDRs that are at least 85% identical to a CDR of a HC variable domain of SP263, J45H2L4 or J27H6L4;

(c) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at least 85% identical to a LC variable domain of SP263, J45H2L4 or J27H6L4;

(d) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence is at least 85% identical to a HC variable domain of SP263, J45H2L4 or J27H6L4; and

(e) the antibody binds an epitope that overlaps with an epitope bound by SP263, J45H2L4 or J27H6L4.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to an antibody selected from the group consisting of SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4. In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated antibody selected from the group consisting of SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated antibody comprising the CDRs of SP263. In one aspect the disclosure provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to SP263. The CDRs of SP263 are represented in Table 1.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated antibody comprising the CDRs of J45H2L4. In one aspect the disclosure provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to J45H2L4. The CDRs of J45H2L4 are represented in Table 1.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides an isolated antibody comprising the CDRs of J27H6L4. In one aspect the disclosure provides an isolated antibody that is at least 85% identical to J27H6L4. The CDRs of J27H6L4 are represented in Table 1.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the HC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of SP263 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of SP263.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the HC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of J45H2L4 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of J45H2L4.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the HC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of J27H6L4 and the LC variable domain sequence comprises a variable domain sequence of J27H6L4.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody binds human PD-L1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of less than 10⁻⁴ M, 10⁻⁵ M, 10⁻⁶ M, 10⁻⁷ M, 10⁻⁸ M, 10⁻⁹ M, 10⁻¹⁰ M, 10⁻¹¹ M, or 10⁻¹² M. In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antigen binding site specifically binds to human PD-L1.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is soluble Fab.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the HC and LC variable domain sequences are components of the same polypeptide chain. In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the HC and LC variable domain sequences are components of different polypeptide chains.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is a full-length antibody.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is chimeric or humanized.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is selected from the group consisting of Fab, F(ab)′2, Fab′, scF_(v), and F_(v).

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody comprises an Fc domain. In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is a rabbit antibody. In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody is a human or humanized antibody or is non-immunogenic in a human.

In some of the aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody comprises a human antibody framework region.

In other aspects, one or more amino acid residues in a CDR of the antibodies provided herein are substituted with another amino acid. The substitution may be “conservative” in the sense of being a substitution within the same family of amino acids. The naturally occurring amino acids may be divided into the following four families and conservative substitutions will take place within those families.

1) Amino acids with basic side chains: lysine, arginine, histidine.

2) Amino acids with acidic side chains: aspartic acid, glutamic acid

3) Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains: asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine.

4) Amino acids with nonpolar side chains: glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan, cysteine.

In another aspect, one or more amino acid residues are added to or deleted from one or more CDRs of an antibody. Such additions or deletions occur at the N or C termini of the CDR or at a position within the CDR.

By varying the amino acid sequence of the CDRs of an antibody by addition, deletion or substitution of amino acids, various effects such as increased binding affinity for the target antigen may be obtained.

It is to be appreciated that antibodies of the disclosure comprising such varied CDR sequences still bind PD-L1 with similar specificity and sensitivity profiles as SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4. This may be tested by way of the binding assays disclosed in Examples described herein.

The constant regions of antibodies may also be varied from those specifically disclosed for antibodies SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4. For example, antibodies may be provided with Fc regions of any isotype: IgA (IgA1, IgA2), IgD, IgE, IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) or IgM. Non-limiting examples of constant region sequences include:

Human IgD constant region, Uniprot: P01880 SEQ ID NO: 27 APTKAPDVFPIISGCRHPKDNSPVVLACLITGYHPTSVTVTWYMGTQSQ PQRTFPEIQRRDSYYMTSSQLSTPLQQWRQGEYKCVVQHTASKSKKEIF RWPESPKAQASSVPTAQPQAEGSLAKATTAPATTRNTGRGGEEKKKEKE KEEQEERETKTPECPSHTQPLGVYLLTPAVQDLWLRDKATFTCFVVGSD LKDAHLTWEVAGKVPTGGVEEGLLERHSNGSQSQHSRLTLPRSLWNAGT SVTCTLNHPSLPPQRLMALREPAAQAPVKLSLNLLASSDPPEAASWLLC EVSGFSPPNILLMWLEDQREVNTSGFAPARPPPQPGSTTFWAWSVLRVP APPSPQPATYTCVVSHEDSRTLLNASRSLEVSYVTDHGPMK Human IgG1 constant region, Uniprot: P01857 SEQ ID NO: 28 ASTKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSG VHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKV EPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVV DVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDW LNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELTKNQ VSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLT VDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK Human IgG2 constant region, Uniprot: P01859 SEQ ID NO: 29 ASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSG VHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSNFGTQTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKTV ERKCCVECPPCPAPPVAGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSH EDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTFRVVSVLTVVHQDWLNGK EYKCKVSNKGLPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLT CLVKGFYPSDISVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKS RWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK Human IgG3 constant region, Uniprot: P01860 SEQ ID NO: 30 ASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSG VHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYTCNVNHKPSNTKVDKRV ELKTPLGDTTHTCPRCPEPKSCDTPPPCPRCPEPKSCDTPPPCPRCPEP KSCDTPPPCPRCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDV SHEDPEVQFKWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNSTFRVVSVLTVLHQDWLN GKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKTKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVS LTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESSGQPENNYNTTPPMLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVD KSRWQQGNIFSCSVMHEALHNRFTQKSLSLSPGK Human IgM constant region, Uniprot: P01871 SEQ ID NO: 31 GSASAPTLFPLVSCENSPSDTSSVAVGCLAQDFLPDSITLSWKYKNNSD ISSTRGFPSVLRGGKYAATSQVLLPSKDVMQGTDEHVVCKVQHPNGNKE KNVPLPVIAELPPKVSVFVPPRDGFFGNPRKSKLICQATGFSPRQIQVS WLREGKQVGSGVTTDQVQAEAKESGPTTYKVTSTLTIKESDWLGQSMFT CRVDHRGLTFQQNASSMCVPDQDTAIRVFAIPPSFASIFLTKSTKLTCL VTDLTTYDSVTISWTRQNGEAVKTHTNISESHPNATFSAVGEASICEDD WNSGERFTCTVTHTDLPSPLKQTISRPKGVALHRPDVYLLPPAREQLNL RESATITCLVTGFSPADVFVQWMQRGQPLSPEKYVTSAPMPEPQAPGRY FAHSILTVSEEEWNTGETYTCVAHEALPNRVTERTVDKSTGKPTLYNVS LVMSDTAGTCY Human IgG4 constant region, Uniprot: P01861 SEQ ID NO: 32 ASTKGPSVFPLAPCSRSTSESTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSG VHTFPAVLQSSGLYSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTKTYTCNVDHKPSNTKVDKRV ESKYGPPCPSCPAPEFLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVS QEDPEVQFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQFNSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNG KEYKCKVSNKGLPSSIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSQEEMTKNQVSL TCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSRLTVDK SRWQEGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSLGK Human IgA1 constant region, Uniprot: P01876 SEQ ID NO: 33 ASPTSPKVFPLSLCSTQPDGNVVIACLVQGFFPQEPLSVTWSESGQGVT ARNFPPSQDASGDLYTTSSQLTLPATQCLAGKSVTCHVKHYTNPSQDVT VPCPVPSTPPTPSPSTPPTPSPSCCHPRLSLHRPALEDLLLGSEANLTC TLTGLRDASGVTFTWTPSSGKSAVQGPPERDLCGCYSVSSVLPGCAEPW NHGKTFTCTAAYPESKTPLTATLSKSGNTFRPEVHLLPPPSEELALNEL VTLTCLARGFSPKDVLVRWLQGSQELPREKYLTWASRQEPSQGTTTFAV TSILRVAAEDWKKGDTFSCMVGHEALPLAFTQKTIDRLAGKPTHVNVSV VMAEVDGTCY Human IgA2 constant region, Uniprot: P01877 SEQ ID NO: 34 ASPTSPKVFPLSLDSTPQDGNVVVACLVQGFFPQEPLSVTWSESGQNVT ARNFPPSQDASGDLYTTSSQLTLPATQCPDGKSVTCHVKHYTNPSQDVT VPCPVPPPPPCCHPRLSLHRPALEDLLLGSEANLTCTLTGLRDASGATF TWTPSSGKSAVQGPPERDLCGCYSVSSVLPGCAQPWNHGETFTCTAAHP ELKTPLTANITKSGNTFRPEVHLLPPPSEELALNELVTLTCLARGFSPK DVLVRWLQGSQELPREKYLTWASRQEPSQGTTTFAVTSILRVAAEDWKK GDTFSCMVGHEALPLAFTQKTIDRMAGKPTHVNVSVVMAEVDGTCY Human Ig kappa constant region, Uniprot: P01834 SEQ ID NO: 35 TVAAPSVFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSG NSQESVTEQDSKDSTYSLSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVT KSFNRGEC

In some aspects, the SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 antibodies comprise a heavy chain constant region that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NOS: 27-33 or 34.

In some aspects, the SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 antibodies comprise a light chain constant region that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 35.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody binds to the epitope bound by SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody competes with SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 for binding to PD-L1.

In some aspects of the antibodies provided herein, the antibody contains structural modifications to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release. In some aspects, the PD-L1 antibody contains a deletion in the CH2 constant heavy chain region of the antibody to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release. In some aspects, a Fab fragment is used to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release. In some aspects, a F(ab)′2 fragment is used to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release.

Processes for Preparing Antibodies and Antibody Fragments

Antibodies, their manufacture and uses are well known and disclosed in, for example, Harlow, E. and Lane, D., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1999. The antibodies may be generated using standard methods known in the art. Examples of antibodies include (but are not limited to) monoclonal, single chain, and functional fragments of antibodies.

Antibodies may be produced in a range of hosts, for example goats, rabbits, rats, mice, humans, and others. They may be immunized by injection with a target antigen or a fragment or oligopeptide thereof which has immunogenic properties, such as a C-terminal fragment of PD-L1. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants may be used to increase an immunological response. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, and surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and dinitrophenol. Among adjuvants used in humans, BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum are particularly useful.

In certain aspects, the antibodies of the present disclosure are polyclonal, i.e., a mixture of plural types of anti-PD-L1 antibodies having different amino acid sequences, e.g., antibodies raised against SEQ ID NO: 1 using techniques known in the art and briefly described below. In one aspect, the polyclonal antibody comprises a mixture of plural types of anti-PD-L1 antibodies having different CDRs. As such, a mixture of cells which produce different antibodies is cultured, and an antibody purified from the resulting culture can be used (see WO 2004/061104).

Monoclonal Antibody Production.

Monoclonal antibodies to PD-L1 may be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture and in one aspect are prepared using a polypeptide having SEQ ID NO. 1. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique (see, e.g., Kohler & Milstein, Nature 256: 495-497 (1975)); the trioma technique; the human B-cell hybridoma technique (see, e.g., Kozbor, et al., Immunol. Today 4: 72 (1983)) and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (see, e.g., Cole, et al., in: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96 (1985)). Human monoclonal antibodies can be utilized in the practice of the disclosure and can be produced by using human hybridomas (see, e.g., Cote, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 80: 2026-2030 (1983)) or by transforming human B-cells with Epstein Barr Virus in vitro (see, e.g., Cole, et al., in: MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND CANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96 (1985)). For example, a population of nucleic acids that encode regions of antibodies can be isolated. PCR utilizing primers derived from sequences encoding conserved regions of antibodies is used to amplify sequences encoding portions of antibodies from the population and then reconstruct DNAs encoding antibodies or fragments thereof, such as variable domains, from the amplified sequences. Such amplified sequences also can be fused to DNAs encoding other proteins—e.g., a bacteriophage coat, or a bacterial cell surface protein—for expression and display of the fusion polypeptides on phage or bacteria. Amplified sequences can then be expressed and further selected or isolated based, e.g., on the affinity of the expressed antibody or fragment thereof for an antigen or epitope present on the PD-L1 polypeptide. Alternatively, hybridomas expressing anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies can be prepared by immunizing a subject and then isolating hybridomas from the subject's spleen using routine methods. See, e.g., Milstein et al., (Galfre and Milstein, Methods Enzymol 73: 3-46 (1981)). Screening the hybridomas using standard methods will produce monoclonal antibodies of varying specificity (i.e., for different epitopes) and affinity. A selected monoclonal antibody with the desired properties, e.g., PD-L1 binding, can be (i) used as expressed by the hybridoma, (ii) bound to a molecule such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) to alter its properties, or (iii) a cDNA encoding the monoclonal antibody can be isolated, sequenced and manipulated in various ways. In one aspect, the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody is produced by a hybridoma which includes a B cell obtained from a transgenic non-human animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, having a genome comprising a human heavy chain transgene and a light chain transgene fused to an immortalized cell. Hybridoma techniques include those known in the art and taught in Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 349 (1988); Hammerling et al., Monoclonal Antibodies And T-Cell Hybridomas, 563-681 (1981).

Phage Display Technique.

As noted above, the antibodies of the present disclosure can be produced through the application of recombinant DNA and phage display technology. For example, anti-PD-L1 antibodies, can be prepared using various phage display methods known in the art. In phage display methods, functional antibody domains are displayed on the surface of a phage particle which carries polynucleotide sequences encoding them. Phage with a desired binding property are selected from a repertoire or combinatorial antibody library (e.g., human or murine) by selecting directly with an antigen, typically an antigen bound or captured to a solid surface or bead. Phage used in these methods are typically filamentous phage including fd and M13 with Fab, F_(v) or disulfide stabilized F_(v) antibody domains are recombinantly fused to either the phage gene III or gene VIII protein. In addition, methods can be adapted for the construction of Fab expression libraries (see, e.g., Huse, et al., Science 246: 1275-1281, 1989) to allow rapid and effective identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity for a PD-L1 polypeptide, e.g., a polypeptide or derivatives, fragments, analogs or homologs thereof. Other examples of phage display methods that can be used to make the isolated antibodies of the present disclosure include those disclosed in Huston et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 85: 5879-5883 (1988); Chaudhary et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 87: 1066-1070 (1990); Brinkman et al., J. Immunol. Methods 182: 41-50 (1995); Ames et al., J. Immunol. Methods 184: 177-186 (1995); Kettleborough et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 24: 952-958 (1994); Persic et al., Gene 187: 9-18 (1997); Burton et al., Advances in Immunology 57: 191-280 (1994); PCT/GB91/01134; WO 90/02809; WO 91/10737; WO 92/01047; WO 92/18619; WO 93/11236; WO 95/15982; WO 95/20401; WO 96/06213; WO 92/01047 (Medical Research Council et al.); WO 97/08320 (Morphosys); WO 92/01047 (CAT/MRC); WO 91/17271 (Affymax); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,698,426, 5,223,409, 5,403,484, 5,580,717, 5,427,908, 5,750,753, 5,821,047, 5,571,698, 5,427,908, 5,516,637, 5,780,225, 5,658,727 and 5,733,743.

Methods useful for displaying polypeptides on the surface of bacteriophage particles by attaching the polypeptides via disulfide bonds have been described by Lohning, U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,136. As described in the above references, after phage selection, the antibody coding regions from the phage can be isolated and used to generate whole antibodies, including human antibodies, or any other desired antigen binding fragment, and expressed in any desired host including mammalian cells, insect cells, plant cells, yeast, and bacteria. For example, techniques to recombinantly produce Fab, Fab′ and F(ab′)₂ fragments can also be employed using methods known in the art such as those disclosed in WO 92/22324; Mullinax et al., BioTechniques 12: 864-869 (1992); Sawai et al., AJRI 34: 26-34 (1995); and Better et al., Science 240: 1041-1043 (1988).

Generally, hybrid antibodies or hybrid antibody fragments that are cloned into a display vector can be selected against the appropriate antigen in order to identify variants that maintained good binding activity, because the antibody or antibody fragment will be present on the surface of the phage or phagemid particle. See e.g. Barbas III et al., Phage Display, A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2001). However, other vector formats could be used for this process, such as cloning the antibody fragment library into a lytic phage vector (modified T7 or Lambda Zap systems) for selection and/or screening.

Alternate Methods of Antibody Production.

Antibodies may also be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening recombinant immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents (Orlandi et al., PNAS 86: 3833-3837 (1989); Winter, G. et al., Nature, 349: 293-299 (1991)).

Alternatively, techniques for the production of single chain antibodies may be used. Single chain antibodies (scF_(v)s) comprise a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region connected with a linker peptide (typically around 5 to 25 amino acids in length). In the scF_(v), the variable regions of the heavy chain and the light chain may be derived from the same antibody or different antibodies. scF_(v)s may be synthesized using recombinant techniques, for example by expression of a vector encoding the scF_(v) in a host organism such as E. coli. DNA encoding scF_(v) can be obtained by performing amplification using a partial DNA encoding the entire or a desired amino acid sequence of a DNA selected from a DNA encoding the heavy chain or the variable region of the heavy chain of the above-mentioned antibody and a DNA encoding the light chain or the variable region of the light chain thereof as a template, by PCR using a primer pair that defines both ends thereof, and further performing amplification combining a DNA encoding a polypeptide linker portion and a primer pair that defines both ends thereof, so as to ligate both ends of the linker to the heavy chain and the light chain, respectively. An expression vector containing the DNA encoding scF_(v) and a host transformed by the expression vector can be obtained according to conventional methods known in the art.

Antigen binding fragments may also be generated, for example the F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity (Huse et al., Science, 256: 1275-1281 (1989)).

Antibody Modifications.

The antibodies of the present disclosure may be multimerized to increase the affinity for an antigen. The antibody to be multimerized may be one type of antibody or a plurality of antibodies which recognize a plurality of epitopes of the same antigen. As a method of multimerization of the antibody, binding of the IgG CH3 domain to two scF_(v) molecules, binding to streptavidin, introduction of a helix-turn-helix motif and the like can be exemplified.

The antibody compositions of the present disclosure may be in the form of a conjugate formed between any of these antibodies and another agent (immunoconjugate). In one aspect, the antibodies of the present disclosure are conjugated to radioactive material. In another aspect, the antibodies of the present disclosure can be bound to various types of molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Antibody Screening.

Various immunoassays may be used for screening to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with established specificities are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between PD-L1, or any fragment or oligopeptide thereof and its specific antibody. A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay utilizing monoclonal antibodies specific to two non-interfering PD-L1 epitopes may be used, but a competitive binding assay may also be employed (Maddox et al., J. Exp. Med., 158: 1211-1216 (1983)).

Automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) screening of potential anti-PD-L1 antibodies can be performed using a Ventana Medical Systems, Inc (VMSI) Discovery XT and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human tissue on glass slides. Tissue samples first undergo deparaffinization, antigen retrieval, followed by the addition of the potential anti-PD-L1 antibody and a detection antibody. The detection antibody is visualized using a chromogen detection reagent from VMSI. Stained slides are manually screened under a microscope. Samples having a correct primary antibody staining pattern are selected as potential anti-PD-L1 candidates.

Antibody Purification.

The antibodies of the present disclosure can be purified to homogeneity. The separation and purification of the antibodies can be performed by employing conventional protein separation and purification methods.

By way of example only, the antibody can be separated and purified by appropriately selecting and combining use of chromatography columns, filters, ultrafiltration, salt precipitation, dialysis, preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and the like. Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization: A Laboratory Course Manual, Daniel R. Marshak et al. eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1996); Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual. Ed Harlow and David Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988).

Examples of chromatography include affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, reverse phase chromatography, and adsorption chromatography. In one aspect, chromatography can be performed by employing liquid chromatography such as HPLC or FPLC.

In one aspect, a Protein A column or a Protein G column may be used in affinity chromatography. Other exemplary columns include a Protein A column, Hyper D, POROS, Sepharose F. F. (Pharmacia) and the like.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Methods

General.

The antibodies of the disclosure are useful in methods known in the art relating to the localization and/or quantitation of a PD-L1 polypeptide (e.g., for use in measuring levels of the PD-L1 polypeptide within appropriate physiological samples, for use in diagnostic methods, for use in imaging the polypeptide, and the like). The antibodies of the disclosure are useful in isolating a PD-L1 polypeptide by standard techniques, such as affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation. A PD-L1 antibody of the disclosure can facilitate the purification of natural PD-L1 polypeptides from biological samples, e.g., mammalian sera or cells as well as recombinantly-produced PD-L1 polypeptides expressed in a host system. Moreover, PD-L1 antibody can be used to detect a PD-L1 polypeptide (e.g., in plasma, a cellular lysate or cell supernatant) in order to evaluate the abundance and pattern of expression of the polypeptide. The PD-L1 antibodies of the disclosure can be used diagnostically to monitor PD-L1 levels in tissue as part of a clinical testing procedure, e.g., to determine the efficacy of a given treatment regimen. The detection can be facilitated by coupling (i.e., physically linking) the PD-L1 antibody of this disclosure to a detectable substance.

Detection of PD-L1 Polypeptide.

An exemplary method for detecting the level of PD-L1 polypeptides in a biological sample involves obtaining a biological sample from a subject and contacting the biological sample with a PD-L1 antibody of the present disclosure which is capable of detecting the PD-L1 polypeptides.

In one aspect, the PD-L1 antibodies SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 or fragments thereof are detectably labeled. The term “labeled”, with regard to the antibody is intended to encompass direct labeling of the antibody by coupling (i.e., physically linking) a detectable substance to the antibody, as well as indirect labeling of the antibody by reactivity with another compound that is directly labeled. Non-limiting examples of indirect labeling include detection of a primary antibody using a fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody and end-labeling of a DNA probe with biotin such that it can be detected with fluorescently-labeled streptavidin.

The detection method of this disclosure can be used to detect expression levels of PD-L1 polypeptides in a biological sample in vitro as well as in vivo. In vitro techniques for detection of PD-L1 polypeptides include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Western blots, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitations, radioimmunoassay, and immunofluorescence (e.g., IHC). Furthermore, in vivo techniques for detection of PD-L1 polypeptides include introducing into a subject a labeled anti-PD-L1 antibody. By way of example only, the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques. In one aspect, the biological sample contains polypeptide molecules from the test subject.

Immunoassay and Imaging.

A PD-L1 antibody of the present disclosure can be used to assay PD-L1 polypeptide levels in a biological sample (e.g., a cell or tissue sample) using antibody-based techniques. For example, protein expression in tissues can be studied with classical immunohistochemical (IHC) staining methods (Jalkanen, M. et al., J. Cell. Biol. 101: 976-985 (1985); Jalkanen, M. et al., J. Cell. Biol. 105: 3087-3096 (1987)). Other antibody-based methods useful for detecting protein gene expression include immunoassays, such as the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Suitable antibody assay labels are known in the art and include enzyme labels, such as, glucose oxidase, and radioisotopes or other radioactive agents, such as iodine (¹²⁵I, ¹²¹I, ¹³¹I), carbon (¹⁴C), sulfur (³⁵S), tritium (³H), indium (¹¹²In), and technetium (⁹⁹mTc), and fluorescent labels, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, and biotin.

In addition to assaying PD-L1 polypeptide levels in a biological sample, PD-L1 polypeptide levels can also be detected in vivo by imaging. Labels that can be incorporated with anti-PD-L1 antibodies for in vivo imaging of PD-L1 polypeptide levels include those detectable by X-radiography, NMR or ESR. For X-radiography, suitable labels include radioisotopes such as barium or cesium, which emit detectable radiation but are not overtly harmful to the subject. Suitable markers for NMR and ESR include those with a detectable characteristic spin, such as deuterium, which can be incorporated into the PD-L1 antibody by labeling of nutrients for the relevant scF_(v) clone.

A PD-L1 antibody which has been labeled with an appropriate detectable imaging moiety, such as a radioisotope (e.g., ¹³¹I, ¹¹²In, ⁹⁹mTc), a radio-opaque substance, or a material detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance, is introduced (e.g., parenterally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally) into the subject. It will be understood in the art that the size of the subject and the imaging system used will determine the quantity of imaging moiety needed to produce diagnostic images. In the case of a radioisotope moiety, for a human subject, the quantity of radioactivity injected will normally range from about 5 to 20 millicuries of ⁹⁹mTc. The labeled PD-L1 antibody will then preferentially accumulate at the location of cells which contain the specific target polypeptide. For example, in vivo tumor imaging is described in S. W. Burchiel et al., Tumor Imaging: The Radiochemical Detection of Cancer 13 (1982).

In some aspects, PD-L1 antibodies containing structural modifications that facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release are useful in in vivo imaging detection methods. In some aspects, the PD-L1 antibody contains a deletion in the CH2 constant heavy chain region of the antibody to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release. In some aspects, a Fab fragment is used to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release. In some aspects, a F(ab)′2 fragment is used to facilitate rapid binding and cell uptake and/or slow release.

Diagnostic Uses of PD-L1 Antibodies.

The PD-L1 antibody compositions of the disclosure are useful in diagnostic and prognostic methods. As such, the present disclosure provides methods for using the antibodies of the disclosure useful in the diagnosis of PD-L1-related medical conditions in a subject. Antibodies of the disclosure may be selected such that they have a high level of epitope binding specificity and high binding affinity to the PD-L1 polypeptide. In general, the higher the binding affinity of an antibody, the more stringent wash conditions can be performed in an immunoassay to remove nonspecifically bound material without removing the target polypeptide. Accordingly, PD-L1 antibodies of the disclosure useful in diagnostic assays usually have binding affinities of at least 10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻¹⁰, 10⁻¹¹, or 10⁻¹² M. In certain aspects, PD-L1 antibodies used as diagnostic reagents have a sufficient kinetic on-rate to reach equilibrium under standard conditions in at least 12 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 1 hour, or at least 30 minutes.

Some methods of the disclosure employ polyclonal preparations of anti-PD-L1 antibodies and anti-PD-L1 antibody compositions of the disclosure as diagnostic reagents, and other methods employ monoclonal isolates. In methods employing polyclonal human anti-PD-L1 antibodies prepared in accordance with the methods described above, the preparation typically contains an assortment of PD-L1 antibodies, e.g., antibodies, with different epitope specificities to the target polypeptide. The monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are useful for detecting a single antigen in the presence or potential presence of closely related antigens.

The PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure can be used as diagnostic reagents for any kind of biological sample. In one aspect, the PD-L1 antibodies disclosed herein are useful as diagnostic reagents for human biological samples. PD-L1 antibodies can be used to detect PD-L1 polypeptides in a variety of standard assay formats. Such formats include immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, ELISA, radioimmunoassay, flow cytometry, IHC and immunometric assays. See Harlow & Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Publications, New York, 1988); U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,791,932; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,879,262; 4,034,074, 3,791,932; 3,817,837; 3,839,153; 3,850,752; 3,850,578; 3,853,987; 3,867,517; 3,879,262; 3,901,654; 3,935,074; 3,984,533; 3,996,345; 4,034,074; and 4,098,876. Biological samples can be obtained from any tissue (including biopsies), cell or body fluid of a subject.

Prognostic Uses of PD-L1 Antibodies.

The disclosure also provides for prognostic (or predictive) assays for determining whether a subject is at risk of developing a medical disease or condition associated with increased PD-L1 polypeptide expression or activity (e.g., detection of a precancerous cell). Such assays can be used for prognostic or predictive purpose to thereby prophylactically treat an individual prior to the onset of a medical disease or condition characterized by or associated with PD-L1 polypeptide expression.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides methods for determining PD-L1 expression in a subject to thereby select appropriate therapeutic or prophylactic compounds for that subject.

Alternatively, the prognostic assays can be utilized to identify a subject having or at risk for developing bladder transitional cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. Thus, the disclosure provides a method for identifying a disease or condition associated with increased PD-L1 polypeptide expression levels in which a test sample is obtained from a subject and the PD-L1 polypeptide detected, wherein the presence of increased levels of PD-L1 polypeptides compared to a control sample is predictive for a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or condition associated with increased PD-L1 polypeptide expression levels. In some aspects, the disease or condition associated with increased PD-L1 polypeptide expression levels is selected from the group consisting of bladder transitional cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides methods for determining whether a subject can be effectively treated with a compound for a disorder or condition associated with increased PD-L1 polypeptide expression wherein a biological sample is obtained from the subject and the PD-L1 polypeptide is detected using the PD-L1 antibody. The expression level of the PD-L1 polypeptide in the biological sample obtained from the subject is determined and compared with the PD-L1 expression levels found in a biological sample obtained from a subject who is free of the disease. Elevated levels of the PD-L1 polypeptide in the sample obtained from the subject suspected of having the disease or condition compared with the sample obtained from the healthy subject is indicative of the PD-L1-associated disease or condition in the subject being tested.

There are a number of disease states in which the elevated expression level of PD-L1 polypeptides is known to be indicative of whether a subject with the disease is likely to respond to a particular type of therapy or treatment. Thus, the method of detecting a PD-L1 polypeptide in a biological sample can be used as a method of prognosis, e.g., to evaluate the likelihood that the subject will respond to the therapy or treatment. The level of the PD-L1 polypeptide in a suitable tissue or body fluid sample from the subject is determined and compared with a suitable control, e.g., the level in subjects with the same disease but who have responded favorably to the treatment.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for methods of monitoring the influence of agents (e.g., drugs, compounds, or small molecules) on the expression of PD-L1 polypeptides. Such assays can be applied in basic drug screening and in clinical trials. For example, the effectiveness of an agent to decrease PD-L1 polypeptide levels can be monitored in clinical trials of subjects exhibiting elevated expression of PD-L1, e.g., patients diagnosed with cancer. An agent that affects the expression of PD-L1 polypeptides can be identified by administering the agent and observing a response. In this way, the expression pattern of the PD-L1 polypeptide can serve as a marker, indicative of the physiological response of the subject to the agent. Accordingly, this response state may be determined before, and at various points during, treatment of the subject with the agent.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for methods of monitoring or predicting the efficacy of therapeutic agents that target the PD-L1:PD-1 pathway. In one aspect, the agent is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody which specifically inhibits PD-1 or PD-L1, thereby resulting in a reduction of the activity or expression of PD-1 or PD-L1. Non-limiting examples of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that specifically target PD-1 or PD-L1 can be found in Brahmer et al., N Engl J Med. 366(26): 2455-2465 (2012) (describing the anti-PD-L1 antibody BMS-936559); Topalian et al., N Engl J Med. 366(26): 2443-2454 (2012) (describing the anti-PD-1 antibody BMS-936558); MPDL3280A (anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, Genentech, San Francisco Calif.) (see the web site at gene.com/media/press-releases/14566/2014-05-31/investigational-immunotherapy-anti-pdl1-, last accessed on Oct. 27, 2014); MEDI4736 (anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, AstraZeneca) (see the web site under address clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02125461 ?term=medi4736+nsclc&rank=3, last accessed on Oct. 27, 2014); MSB0010718C (anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, Merck Serono, Germany) (see the web site at address fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/merck-serono-initiates-phase-ii-study-anti-pd-l1-antibody-msb0010718c-metas, last accessed on Oct. 27, 2014); and MK-3475 (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, Merck, Germany) (see the web site at cancer.gov/drugdictionary?cdrid=695789, last accessed on Oct. 27, 2014).

Automated Embodiments

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that aspects of the methods for using the PD-L1 antibodies disclosed herein can be automated. Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. is the assignee of a number of United States patents disclosing systems and methods for performing automated analyses, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,650,327, 5,654,200, 6,296,809, 6,352,861, 6,827,901 and 6,943,029, and U.S. published application Nos. 20030211630 and 20040052685, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Particular aspects of PD-L1 staining procedures can be conducted using various automated processes.

Kits

As set forth herein, the disclosure provides diagnostic methods for determining the expression level of PD-L1. In one particular aspect, the disclosure provides kits for performing these methods as well as instructions for carrying out the methods of this disclosure such as collecting tissue and/or performing the screen, and/or analyzing the results.

The kit comprises, or alternatively consists essentially of, or yet further consists of, a PD-L1 antibody composition (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) of the present disclosure, and instructions for use. The kits are useful for detecting the presence of PD-L1 polypeptides in a biological sample e.g., any body fluid including, but not limited to, e.g., sputum, serum, plasma, lymph, cystic fluid, urine, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, acitic fluid or blood and including biopsy samples of body tissue. The test samples may also be a tumor cell, a normal cell adjacent to a tumor, a normal cell corresponding to the tumor tissue type, a blood cell, a peripheral blood lymphocyte, or combinations thereof. The test sample used in the above-described method will vary based on the assay format, nature of the detection method and the tissues, cells or extracts used as the sample to be assayed. Methods for preparing protein extracts or membrane extracts of cells are known in the art and can be readily adapted in order to obtain a sample which is compatible with the system utilized.

In some aspects, the kit can comprise: one or more PD-L1 antibodies capable of binding a PD-L1 polypeptide in a biological sample (e.g., an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof having the same antigen-binding specificity of PD-L1 antibodies SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4); means for determining the amount of the PD-L1 polypeptide in the sample; and means for comparing the amount of the PD-L1 polypeptide in the sample with a standard. One or more of the PD-L1 antibodies may be labeled. The kit components, (e.g., reagents) can be packaged in a suitable container. The kit can further comprise instructions for using the kit to detect the PD-L1 polypeptides. In certain aspects, the kit comprises a first antibody, e.g., attached to a solid support, which binds to a PD-L1 polypeptide; and, optionally; 2) a second, different antibody which binds to either the PD-L1 polypeptide or the first antibody and is conjugated to a detectable label.

The kit can also comprise, e.g., a buffering agent, a preservative or a protein-stabilizing agent. The kit can further comprise components necessary for detecting the detectable-label, e.g., an enzyme or a substrate. The kit can also contain a control sample or a series of control samples, which can be assayed and compared to the test sample. Each component of the kit can be enclosed within an individual container and all of the various containers can be within a single package, along with instructions for interpreting the results of the assays performed using the kit. The kits of the disclosure may contain a written product on or in the kit container. The written product describes how to use the reagents contained in the kit.

As amenable, these suggested kit components may be packaged in a manner customary for use by those of skill in the art. For example, these suggested kit components may be provided in solution or as a liquid dispersion or the like.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Generation

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall procedure used to create PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies using a rabbit host. The anti-PD-L1 rabbit monoclonal primary antibodies were directed against the sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1), which represents amino acid residues 272-290 of human PD-L1. Thus, the resulting antibodies would target the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of human PD-L1 much like the E1L3N® anti-PD-L1 antibody (Cell Signaling Technology, MA).

The 19-amino acid peptide was synthesized and covalently conjugated to a keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) carrier protein. New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with KLH-conjugated peptide emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant followed by a series of booster doses of immunogen emulsified with incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The rabbit that generated a IHC positive polyclonal antibody was selected for further monoclonal development. For IHC testing, standard OptiView DAB kit protocol was used on BenchMark Ultra platform (Ventana Medical System) after StdCC1 cell conditioning. Briefly, primary antibody was incubated for 16 min at 37° C., followed by incubation with a haptenated secondary antibody that reacts with the primary antibody. Anti-hapten HRP multimer was subsequently added, which reacts with the haptenated secondary antibody. Lastly, the target antigen was detected using a chromogenic substrate (DAB).

For ELISA, antibody-expressing cells were isolated and screened via standard direct enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) for reactivity to the sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1) (See Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, page 661, Second edition) and by IHC assays on control placental tissue blocks. Once IHC positive antibody producing cells were identified, the cDNAs coding for the antibody heavy chain and light chain were isolated and cloned using standard recombinant techniques. Monoclonal antibodies were subsequently produced by co-transfecting the cloned heavy and light chain cDNAs and the functionality of the resulting antibodies was verified by IHC. Rabbit anti-human PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies with the best specificity, i.e., SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 were selected and subsequently purified through a Protein A column. The CDR regions of the SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 antibodies are provided in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Antibody CDR1 CDR2 CDR3 HC SP263 NHAIS TINSDTHTYYATWPKG RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 14) (SEQ ID NO: 15) (SEQ ID NO: 16) J45H2L4 SNAIS TINSDSHIYSATWAKG RLFSSTNI (SEQ ID NO: 19) (SEQ ID NO: 20) (SEQ ID NO: 21) J27H6L4 SHAIS TINSDSHTYYATWAKG RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 24) (SEQ ID NO: 25) (SEQ ID NO: 16) LC SP263 QASQSIYNNNWLS LASTLAS IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 12) (SEQ ID NO: 18) J45H2L4 QASQSIYKDNWLS LASTLAS LGGESSSDDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 22) (SEQ ID NO: 12) (SEQ ID NO: 23) J27H6L4 QASQSIYNNNWLS LASTLAS IGGESSNTDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID NO: 12) (SEQ ID NO: 26)

The amino acid sequences of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 regions of the anti-PD-L1 antibodies SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 conform with the consensus sequences provided below:

Heavy chain CDR1 consensus sequence is X₁₀X₁₁AIS (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein X₁₀ is N or S, and X₁₁ is H or N.

Heavy chain CDR2 consensus sequence is TINSDX₆HX₇YX₈ATWX₉KG (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein X₆ is T or S, X₇ is T or I, X₈ is Y or S, and X₉ is P or A.

Heavy chain CDR3 consensus sequence is RX₁FSSX₂NI (SEQ ID NO: 10), wherein X₁ is I or L, and X₂ is S or T.

Light chain CDR1 consensus sequence is QASQSIYX₁₂X₁₃NWLS (SEQ ID NO: 11), wherein X₁₂ is N or K and X₁₃ is N or D.

Light chain CDR3 consensus sequence is X₃GGESSX₄X₅DGIA (SEQ ID NO: 13), wherein X₃ is L or I, X₄ is N or S, and X₅ is N, T or D.

Light chain CDR2 sequence is LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12).

The HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequences and LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequences of the SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 antibodies are provided below:

SP263 HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 2) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSNHAISWVRQAPGKGLEWIGT INSDTHTYYATWPKGRFTISKTSSTTVDLKMTSPTTEDTATYFCARRIF SSSNIWGPGTLVTVSS SP263 LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence (kappa): (SEQ ID NO: 3) AIVMTQTSSPVSAVVGGTVAINCQASQSIYNNNWLSWFQQKPGQPPKLL IYLASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDVVCDDAATYYCIGGESSNN DGIAFGGGTEVVVK J45H2L4 HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 4) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTASGFSLSSNAISWVRQAPGKGLEWIGT INSDSHIYSATWAKGRFTISKTSTAVDLKMTSPTTEDTATYFCAGRLFS STNIWGPGTLVTVSS J45H2L4 LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence (kappa): (SEQ ID NO: 5) VMTQTSSPVSAAVGGTVTINCQASQSIYKDNWLSWFQQKPGQPPKLLIY LASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTQFTLTISDVVCDDAATYYCLGGESSSDDG IAFGGGTEVVVK J27H6L4 HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 6) QSLEESGGRLVTPGTPLTLTCTVSGFSLSSHAISWVRQAPGKGLEWIGT INSDSHTYYATWAKGRFTSSKTSTTVDLKLTSPTTEDTATYFCARRIFS SSNIWGPGTLVTVSS J27H6L4 LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence (kappa): (SEQ ID NO: 7) VMTQTSSPVSAAVGGTVTINCQASQSIYNNNWLSWFQQKPGQPPKLLIY LASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTQSTLTISDVVCDDAATYYCIGGESSNTDG IAFGGGTEVVVE

Example 2: Target Specificity of Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies

Rabbit anti-human PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies SP263, J45H2L4 and J27H6L4 were applied onto formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples to assess the staining patterns of these antibodies. Tissue samples include placenta (positive control), stomach (negative control) and colon. Immunohistochemistry was performed on BenchMark Ultra (Ventana Medical System) using StdCC1 cell conditioning and standard Opt iView DAB detection protocol. Each primary antibody was incubated at 0.9 μg/ml for 16 min.

As shown in FIG. 4, Row G, the J27H6L4 anti-PD-L1 antibody exhibited weak staining in placental trophoblasts and no staining in colon and stomach tissue (Rows H & I). In contrast, the J45H2L4 anti-PD-L1 antibody generated the strongest signal in placental trophoblasts. See FIG. 4 (Row D). However, J45H2L4 also exhibited significant background staining, as demonstrated by the non-specific nuclear staining in colon and stomach tissue (FIG. 4, Rows E & F). As shown in FIG. 4, Row A, the SP263 antibody yielded a strong signal in the cell membranes of the placental syncytiotrophoblasts and little to no background staining in the control stomach and colon tissues (FIG. 4, Rows B & C). The SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody was selected for further characterization in light of its favorable immunostaining properties.

SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody was applied onto FFPE placental, tonsil, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. Each of these four tissues is known to exhibit high levels of membrane-associated PD-L1 expression. Immunohistochemistry was performed on BenchMark Ultra (Ventana Medical System) using StdCC1 cell conditioning and standard Opt iView DAB detection protocol. The SP263 was incubated at 0.9 g/ml for 16 min.

As shown in FIG. 2, Columns A-D, incubation with the SP263 antibody yielded robust membrane-associated PD-L1 staining in placental, tonsil, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples, which is consistent with the PD-L1 expression patterns described in Brown et al., J. Immunol. 170:1257-1266 (2003). Thus, these results demonstrate that the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are useful in methods for detecting PD-L1 polypeptide levels in a biological sample. The tumor cells from Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma in FIG. 2, columns C & D, demonstrated positive PD-L1 staining, while the stromal cells surrounding the PD-L1 positive cancer cells served as negative control cells, which prove the specificity of the PD-L1 antibody. Thus, the results demonstrate that the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are useful in methods for detecting cancerous cells in a subject.

Example 3: Characterization of the SP263 Anti-Human PD-L1 Antibody

Western blot analysis was used to assess the binding specificity of the SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody in biological samples. Cell lysates from a NIH H820 lung adenocarcinoma cell line (positive control), a HEK293 cell line, a Calu-3 lung adenocarcinoma cell line (negative control), a ZR75-1 human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control), a MCF7 human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control), and a T47D human breast carcinoma cell line (negative control) were fractionated by SDS-PAGE and was subjected to western blotting with the SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody using standard techniques (see OptiView DAB detection protocol).

As shown in FIG. 3, SP263 bound a ˜45-55 kDa protein which corresponds to human PD-L1 protein. The 45-55 kDa PD-L1 protein was detected in NIH H820 lung adenocarcinoma cells (which are known to exhibit elevated levels of PD-L1), and was absent in all 4 negative controls. Further, in addition to specifically binding human PD-L1, these results show that the SP263 antibody is capable of detecting the low endogenous levels of PD-L1 in HEK293 cells (which are derived from kidney). The results of the Western blot assay thus bolster the IHC results shown in FIG. 2.

ELISA studies were performed with the SP263 antibody to evaluate binding to the immobilized peptide immunogen (human PD-L1 aa272-290). A summary of the results are shown in FIG. 10. The EC₅₀ of the SP263 antibody is 1.5×10⁻¹¹ M, thus demonstrating the high potency of the antibody with respect to binding the PD-L1 epitope.

Example 4: SP263 Anti-Human PD-L1 Antibody Exhibits Superior Binding Specificity Compared to E1L3N® Anti-PD-L1 Antibody

The E1L3N® antibody (Cell Signaling Technology, MA) is a commercially available rabbit anti-human PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that is recognized for its improved binding properties (specificity and sensitivity), thereby aiding in the detection of human-PD-L1 polypeptides in biological samples (e.g., tissue biopsies). See http://www.cellsignal.com/contents/science-cancer-research/pivotal-tumor-immunology-targets-pd-l1/pd-li-signaling. The SP263 and E1L3N® antibodies both target epitopes near the C-terminal region of human PD-L1 and thus bind to the intracellular domain of PD-L1.

SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody (0.44 μg/ml unless otherwise specified) was applied onto FFPE stomach, nerve, kidney, bladder transitional cell carcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was performed on BenchMark Ultra (Ventana Medical System) using StdCC1 cell conditioning with Opt iView detection kit. Corresponding IHC experiments with the E1L3N® antibody were conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's protocols.

As shown in FIG. 6, both SP263 and E1L3N® were tested at different concentrations. E1L3N® exhibited significant background staining in FFPE nerve tissue at concentrations as low as 0.44 μg/ml. In contrast, the SP263 antibody exhibited comparatively little background staining in FFPE nerve tissue at all tested concentrations. For example, the intensity of the background staining in FFPE nerve tissue with the SP263 antibody at 28 μg/ml was similar to that observed with the E1L3N® antibody at 0.11 μg/ml. Further, the background staining in FFPE stomach tissue with the SP263 antibody at 28 μg/ml was weaker compared to that observed with the E1L3N® at the same concentration.

E1L3N® antibody shows non-specific nuclear or cytoplasmic staining in stomach, kidney, bladder transitional cell carcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples (See arrows in FIG. 7). In contrast, no non-specific staining was observed with the SP263 antibody in any of the corresponding tissue samples (See FIG. 7), which comports with the membranous PD-L1 expression described in Ghebeh et al., Neoplasia 8(3):190-198 (2006). Further, SP263 exhibited robust staining in bladder transitional cell carcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples and no staining in the negative control, i.e., the stomach tissue. See FIG. 7. These results demonstrate that the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure exhibit superior specificity over other commercially available PD-L1 antibodies that target similar epitopes at the C-terminal region of human PD-L1. Thus, the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are useful in methods for detecting PD-L1 polypeptide levels in a biological sample and diagnosing cancer in a subject.

Example 5: SP263 Anti-Human PD-L1 Antibody Shows Increased Detection Sensitivity Compared to E1L3N® Anti-PD-L1 Antibody

SP263 anti-PD-L1 antibody (0.44 μg/ml) was applied onto FFPE placenta, tonsil, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue samples. Immunohistochemistry was performed on BenchMark Ultra (Ventana Medical System) using StdCC1 cell conditioning with Opt iView detection kit. Corresponding IHC experiments with the E1L3N® antibody were conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's protocols.

As shown in FIG. 5, both SP263 and E1L3N® were tested at different concentrations. E1L3N® exhibited detectable staining in FFPE placenta tissue at concentrations as low as 0.44 μg/ml. In contrast, the SP263 antibody generated a moderate to strong signal in FFPE placenta tissue at all tested concentrations. For example, the intensity of the PD-L1 signal in FFPE placenta tissue with the SP263 antibody at 0.44 μg/ml was similar to that observed with the E1L3N® antibody at 28 μg/ml.

Further, there was a substantial increase in the intensity of the PD-L1 signal generated by the SP263 antibody in tonsil, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and skin squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples compared to that observed in the corresponding tissue samples that were incubated with the E1L3N® antibody at the same tested concentration (See FIG. 8). The PD-L1 signal generated by the SP263 antibody in pancreas adenocarcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma tissues samples was comparable to that observed with the E1L3N® antibody (See FIG. 8). Finally, the intensity of the PD-L1 signal generated by the SP263 antibody in NSCLC tissue samples was consistently greater than that observed in NSCLC tissue samples that were incubated with the E1L3N® antibody at the same tested concentration (Compare FIG. 9 (F-J) to FIG. 9 (A-E)).

These results demonstrate that the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are significantly more sensitive in detecting PD-L1 polypeptide levels in tissue samples compared to other commercially available PD-L1 antibodies that target similar epitopes at the C-terminal region of human PD-L1. Thus, the PD-L1 antibodies of the present disclosure are useful in methods for detecting PD-L1 polypeptide levels in a biological sample and diagnosing cancer in a subject.

EQUIVALENTS

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

The disclosures illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Thus, it should be understood that the materials, methods, and examples provided here are representative of preferred aspects, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the disclosure.

The disclosure has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and sub-generic groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the disclosure. This includes the generic description of the disclosure with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety, to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

Other aspects are set forth within the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of detecting human PD-L1 in a biological sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample with an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein: (a1) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (a1a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence NHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 14); and (a1b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDTHTYYATWPKG (SEQ ID NO: 15); and (a1c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and (a2) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (a2a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); and (a2b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and (a2c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 18); and (b) detecting a complex formed by the binding of the antibody or antigen binding fragment to PD-L1.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and wherein the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 3. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample comprises a cell or a tissue sample.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is obtained from a subject that is diagnosed as having, suspected as having, or at risk of having cancer.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of bladder transitional cell carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, breast ductal carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, pancreas adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection comprises one or more of immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, flow cytometry or ELISA.
 10. A method of detecting a cancer cell in a sample isolated from a subject, the method comprising (a) contacting the sample with an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment comprises a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein: (a1) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (a1a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence NHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 14); and (a1b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDTHTYYATWPKG (SEQ ID NO: 15); and (a1c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and (a2) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (a2a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); and (a2b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and (a2c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 18); and (b) detecting a level of complex formed by the binding of the antibody or antigen binding fragment to PD-L1, wherein the level of complex is indicative of a level of PD-L1 protein in the sample; and (c) comparing the level of PD-L1 protein detected in step (b) with the level of PD-L1 protein detected in a control biological sample; wherein the cancer cell is detected when the level of PD-L1 detected in step (b) is elevated compared to that detected in the control biological sample and the cancer cell is not detected when the level of PD-L1 detected in step (b) is not elevated as compared to that detected in the control biological sample.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the biological sample of the subject comprises one or more of a sample isolated from lung, kidney, bladder, breast, pancreas, prostate, cervix or skin.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the detection comprises one or more of immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western Blotting, Flow cytometry or ELISA.
 13. A method of detecting PD-L1 in a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tumor sample, the method comprising: (a) immunohistochemically staining the tumor sample with an antibody or an antigen binding fragment of the antibody and a chromogen, wherein the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprises a heavy chain (HC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence and a light chain (LC) immunoglobulin variable domain sequence, wherein: (a)(i) the HC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (i)(a) a HC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence NHAIS (SEQ ID NO: 14); (i)(b) a HC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence TINSDTHTYYATWPKG (SEQ ID NO: 15); and (i)(c) a HC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence RIFSSSNI (SEQ ID NO: 16); and (a)(ii) the LC immunoglobulin variable domain sequence comprises (ii)(a) a LC CDR1 comprising the amino acid sequence QASQSIYNNNWLS (SEQ ID NO: 17); (ii)(b) a LC CDR2 comprising the amino acid sequence LASTLAS (SEQ ID NO: 12); and (ii)(c) a LC CDR3 comprising the amino acid sequence IGGESSNNDGIA (SEQ ID NO: 18); and (b) detecting chromogen deposited on the sample as a result of the immunohistochemical staining of (a).
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of the antibody binds to an epitope of the amino acid sequence CGIQDTNSKKQSDTHLEET (SEQ ID NO: 1).
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment of the antibody has a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of at least 1.5×10⁻¹¹ M. 